Catfish Farmers Perception of Training Effectiveness of the University of Nigeria-West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme

Abstract

The study assessed farmers’ perception of the effectiveness of UNN-WAAPP training on catfish production around the University of Nigeria catchment area in Enugu State. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 42 respondents across four town communities that benefited from the project in Nsukka agricultural zone, while structured interview schedule were used to elicit information from the respondents. Results of the study revealed that although the majority of the respondents indicated that they received training on areas of catfish production such as; feeding (100%), pond fertilization (90.5%) and pond water treatment (88.1%), among others, but a lesser proportion (19.0%) of them received training on feed formulation, which is a key area in catfish production. Based on their level of satisfaction with the training received, the farmers indicated that they were satisfied in the following areas of training: feeding (M=1.83), pond water management (M=1.55) and pond maintenance (M=1.33), among others. However, the farmers were not satisfied with the training on preservation (M=0.95), pond construction (M=0.86) and feed formulation (M=0.17). With respect to the respondents’ perception on the effectiveness of the training programme as regards trainers’ performance, organization and administration, the respondents indicated that it was effective in terms of the communication methods used by the trainers (M=1.83), asking and answering questions clearly (M=1.74) and use of relevant examples to illustrate training activities (M=1.71), among others. In order to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of farmers involved in catfish production, there is need for additional training in key areas of catfish production such as feed formulation and pond construction in order to achieve the aim of the project which is focused on improving the wealth status of participating communities.