Enhancing Yam Production Using Participatory Action Research In Federal College Of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64137/3108088X/IJAES-V2I1P102Abstract
The study investigated avenues for enhancing yam production using participatory action research in Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State, Nigeria. It was geared to: examine the production practices that will be suitable to yam farmers using participatory action research; ascertain the causes of low yam production, and determine the factors that could enhance yam production in the area of study. Quasi-experimental design was adopted in this study to obtain the required data. Simple random sampling was adopted to select 10 degree year one students to demonstrate the yam cultivation using different planting methods in the College farm. Also, a well structured questionnaire was administered to the same students before the commencement, and after the field work to provide answers to the research questions. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. Weighted mean score was the descriptive statistics used. The inferential statistics used were the student’s T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient to test the hypotheses and the quality of the research questionnaire at 5% significant level. The results showed that student’s view on the production practices that will be suitable to yam farmers; the causes of low yam production; and the factors that can enhance yam production in Rivers State, before participation were greatly improved after their participation in yam production exercise. The results clearly demonstrate that participation had a statistically significant effect on students’ perception of suitable yam production practices, causes of low yam production and the factors that can enhance yam production in the area. The study recommended that: Suitable yam production practices should be used by farmers in the study area; and the participatory action research should be used in investigations that require people’s involvement and contributions.
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