SKILLS ACQUISITION IN AQUACULTURE FOR A GREEN ECONOMY IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Abstract

The study examined the acquisition of skills by aquaculture farmers and the contributions of aquaculture towards a green economy in Akwa Ibom State. Two research questions were raised and two null hypotheses were formulated to direct the study. The survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted 126 (52 farmers and 74 attendants) aquaculture farmers and farm attendants in Akwa Ibom State. The purposive sampling technique was used to sample all the 126 aquaculture farmers and farm attendants. Data collection was carried out with the use of a researcher-developed instrument tagged ‘Aquaculture Skills and Green Economy’ (ASGE) Questionnaire. The instrument was duly validated and trial tested. Data collected were analysed using Cronbach’s alpha method.  This gave a reliability coefficient of 0.89. The research questions and null hypotheses were analyzed using means and independent t-test. The findings of the study indicated a high level of skill competencies utilization in aquaculture production; and a significant level of contributions by aquaculture to a green economy in Akwa Ibom State. On the basis of this, it was concluded that aquaculture farmers in Akwa Ibom State possess the relevant skills needed in the industry and that it contributes significantly to a green economy in the State through employment creation, income generation and poverty reduction. It was recommended among others that, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should invest more in agriculture by encouraging farmers’ involvement in aquaculture production.