Assessment of training needs of extension personnel in agricultural research institutes and agricultural development programme in Edo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study assessed the training needs of extension personnel of ADP, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) and Nigeria Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in Edo State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 65 respondents. Findings from the study revealed that the majority of the respondents (76.9%) were males, 87.8% were married and 72.1% were in the age bracket of 31-49 years old. Majority of the respondents (69.2%) had educational background below university level while 60% had been working for more than 10 years. Findings also showed that 70.8% of the respondents had attended fortnightly training and 80% received training in extension education. Sixty seven point seven and 70.8% of respondents had not gone for training within the last five years in areas such as Programme Planning and Evaluation respectively.. Findings also showed that respondents ranked data analysis (
_
X = 7.83), market information (
_
X = 6.83), and ICT (
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X = 6.54), first second and third respectively as the areas
in which they need trainings. There were significant differences between training needs of extension staff of ADP and research institutes in areas like data analysis P<0.05, market information P<0.05, ICT P<0.05, Communication skills P<0.05, use of computers P<0.05 and research P<0.05. It was recommended that regular training needs assessment of agricultural institutions is necessary to address areas of training gaps.

Key Words: Assessment, training needs, Extension personnel, ADP, Research Institutes,.