Pre and Post Training Knowledge of Cassava Viral Disease among Farmer and Extension Officer in Nigeria

• Published in: Journal of agricultural extension 2019-07, Vol.23 (3), p.66
• Main Authors: Eni, Angela O., Onile-ere, Olabode O., Mohammed, Ibrahim, Kazeem, Shakiru Adewale, Onyeka, Joseph
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1119-944X; 2408-6851
• DOI: 10.4314/jae.v23i3.5

This study presents findings of a train-the trainer cassava stakeholders training workshop conducted in 2017. Farmer and agricultural extension officers from 12 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were invited for a 2-day workshop aimed at raising awareness and educating participants on cassava virus disease management. An opened ended questionnaire was used to measure pre and post workshop knowledge alongside practices and needs. A total of 74 persons, 49 farmers and 25 extension officers were included in the study analysis. Participants were mostly males who had been cultivating cassava for 12±9 years or had been providing extension services for 17±9 years. Pre-workshop knowledge on cassava viral diseases among cassava farmers was poor with farmers scoring an average of 2.04±1.1 out of 5 obtainable points on knowledge. Disease management practices were poor among farmers with most (40.8%) obtaining planting materials from unverified sources. Post-workshop evaluation showed that farmers’ knowledge of cassava viral diseases had increased as adjudged by an average knowledge score of 7.98±1.80 out of 11 obtainable points. This study highlights the effectiveness of trainings in improving farmer knowledge and empowering them to contribute to the management of cassava viral diseases.