Training needs of rural women in agriculture in Delta and Edo States of Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to identify training needs of rural women in agriculture in Delta and Edo States of Nigeria to improve their indigenous scientific knowledge and skills for a sustainable agricultural production. Their traditional crop production techniques were surveyed under the following three headings: (i) on-farm activities, (ii) off-farmactivities, and (iii) miscellaneous activities. Skill areas were identified and the rural women were interviewed to find out areas of training needs. Threemajor farming communities, Abavo, Urhonigbe and Abraka, formed the study area, from where 30 women were selected from each community for interview. Results showed that over 82 per cent of the rural women neededtraining in planting, post-planting, and processing activities. The percentage of rural women that expressed training needs in credit procurement techniques was 68.5 per cent, while 62 per cent wanted skills in preservation and storage techniques. Also, a high percentage of thewomen needed skills in multiplication of planting materials; for example, seed yams and cassava cutting (76.8%). Prospects of using mechanised equipment (e.g. tractors) were rendered impossible by the communal landownership patterns in these communities. Based on the results, it was recommended, among others, that women agriculturalists or extension agents should be used to educate the rural women on the various areas of training needs to enhance productivity