SKILLS IN RICE PRODUCTION REQUIRED BY WOMEN FARMERS FOR JOB AND WEALTH CREATION

Abstract

This research work was designed to examine the contributions of women farmers in rice production for global food security in Ebonyi state. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. The researcher adopted a descriptive research design in carrying out this study. The total population of the study was 800 registered women rice farmers. The sample consist of 267 respondents. A simple random sampling technique was used to draw the sample of the study. The instrument was a questionnaire designed to collect data. The questionnaire was face validated by three experts from the Department of Technology and Vocational Educational, Ebonyi State University. The data collected were analyzed using mean with standard deviation. The findings indicated that farmers require Pre-planting activities in rice production the women such as skills in tilling the soil, nursery bed preparation and in determination of soil fertility. Also the women farmers require the skills in planting activities in rice production such as to plant rice seedlings using the right spacing and recommended depth, adding green manure in the paddy field and incorporate it with the soil before planting. The women such as farmers also require in post-planting activities in rice production the ability to use the right herbicides to control weeds and to apply the appropriate fertilizer on the rice plant. Harvesting skills were a/so required by the women farmer in rice production farmers. It was recommended among others that the extension agents should train the women farmers on these skills they lack in rice production so that the women can effectively contribute in rice production for global food security.