CUCUMBER (CUCUMIS SATIVA) AN INSTRUMENT FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN FRUIT CROP PRODUCTION, IN EBONYI STATE

Abstract

The study is designed to investigate cucumber as an Instrument for Entrepreneurship in Fruit Crop Production in Ebonyi State: Four Research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population for the study was 1,565 cucumber farmers in the state Sample for the study was 156 cucumber fruit crop farmers, stratified random sampling techniques was used in selecting the sample size, by replacement. The Instrument used in data collection was structured questionnaire developed by the researchers, the instrument was validated by three experts one in measurement and Evaluation in Science Education Department and Two in Agric. Education Unit, Department of Technology and Vocational Education, in the same faculty of Education and University. Crownbach Alpha reliability method was used in determining the internal consistency of the instrument which yielded reliability coefficient of 0.76. The Instrument was administered to the respondents, with the help of two Research Assistant, out of 156 administered, 150 was returned, which is 98 percent return. The data collected was analysed using mean and standard deviation. The result revealed that Pre-planting operation in Cucumber Entrepreneur is an Instrument in fruit Crop Production. That planting operation, post planting operations, and post – harvesting operation, was accepted as an instrument in fruit crop production. Among the recommendations made was that cucumber farmers need regular orientation, workshop and research information to improve on the present level of cucumber production in the state.