Articles
Knowledge gap assessment of mushroom and Irvingia production and utilization among farmers in selected Nigerian States
Article number
1422_15
Pages
115 – 120
Language
English
Abstract
Mushroom is gradually gaining acceptance in Nigeria due to its nutritional health benefits and potential protein source for traditional diets.
It requires special production packages and technicalities that must be unveiled for prospective and practicing farmers to tap into its huge economic potentials.
Irvingia (Irvingia gabonensis) or bush mango tree is mainly produced from seed by farmers with attendant long maturity period before fruiting.
Knowledge of reduction in maturity period through training is a key determinant for profitability.
A training program on production and utilization of mushrooms and Irvingia was organized for 76 selected respondents from Imo and Benue States of Nigeria.
Pre- and post-training assessments to determine knowledge uptake were done with structured questionnaires.
Data were analysed with frequencies, percentages, means and t-test.
Majority of the trainees (59.1%) were within 21 and 40 years old, had up to tertiary education (88.2%) and married (46.1%), while 48.7% had no affiliation with any association.
Pre- and post-knowledge scores were 0.32 and 5.63 (on mushroom), 1.43 and 6.12 (on Irvingia) for production, and 0.22 and 5.25 (on Irvingia and mushroom, respectively) for value addition.
Significant differences existed between pre- and post-mean scores on mushroom (t=13.92, p=0.000), Irvingia (t=11.81, p=0.000) production, and on mushroom and Irvingia (t=17.00, p=0.000) value addition, signaling increased knowledge uptake by the respondents.
Fully funded capacity programs should be synchronized into Federal Government agricultural intervention packages for Nigerian farmers to increase efficiency in production along the horticultural value chain.
It requires special production packages and technicalities that must be unveiled for prospective and practicing farmers to tap into its huge economic potentials.
Irvingia (Irvingia gabonensis) or bush mango tree is mainly produced from seed by farmers with attendant long maturity period before fruiting.
Knowledge of reduction in maturity period through training is a key determinant for profitability.
A training program on production and utilization of mushrooms and Irvingia was organized for 76 selected respondents from Imo and Benue States of Nigeria.
Pre- and post-training assessments to determine knowledge uptake were done with structured questionnaires.
Data were analysed with frequencies, percentages, means and t-test.
Majority of the trainees (59.1%) were within 21 and 40 years old, had up to tertiary education (88.2%) and married (46.1%), while 48.7% had no affiliation with any association.
Pre- and post-knowledge scores were 0.32 and 5.63 (on mushroom), 1.43 and 6.12 (on Irvingia) for production, and 0.22 and 5.25 (on Irvingia and mushroom, respectively) for value addition.
Significant differences existed between pre- and post-mean scores on mushroom (t=13.92, p=0.000), Irvingia (t=11.81, p=0.000) production, and on mushroom and Irvingia (t=17.00, p=0.000) value addition, signaling increased knowledge uptake by the respondents.
Fully funded capacity programs should be synchronized into Federal Government agricultural intervention packages for Nigerian farmers to increase efficiency in production along the horticultural value chain.
Publication
Authors
O.O. Oyedele, O. Adebisi-Adelani, O. Idowu, F.B. Olajide-Taiwo, F.O. Popoola, S.O. Ngbede
Keywords
Irvingia gabonensis, capacity building, value chain analysis, horticulture
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