SKILLS NEEDED BY YOUTHS FOR SOY-BEANS PRODUCTION FOR ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study identified skills needed by youths for soybeans production for enhancing food security in Benue State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. Survey research design was employed for the study. The study was carried out in Benue State, Nigeria. The target population was210 youths and all the 44 Agricultural extension officers in BenueState. All the population was involved for the study hence they was no sampling. A- 36item requisite skill questionnaire items on soy-beans production was the instrument used for data collection. Two hundred and fifty-four copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents while two hundred and forty were retrieved and analyzed using weighted x (mean) and Requisite Skill Index (RSI.)Cronbach Alpha reliability method was used to determine internal consistency of the instrument

which yielded reliability coefficient of 0.82. Findings from the study revealed that youths in BenueState need requisite skills in land and seed preparation, planting and post-planting operation, harvesting and marketing of soybeans. It was recommended amongst others that youths in BenueState should be trained by skill acquisition centres in soybeans production using the identified requisite skills.