Competencies Required by Agricultural Education Graduates in Green-Grocery Agribusiness for Employment in Kwara Agricultural Zone-A, Nigeria

Abstract

It is no news that, perhaps, the sickliest macroeconomic ills and deep-rooted millennial problem of Nigeria are her ever-increasing unemployed population. This is recorded as a major factor behind the high poverty index and the rise in crime rate and social vices. One of the prospective means to curb poverty and unemployment in Nigeria is to empower youths with needed entrepreneurial competencies for self-sufficiency and productivity. This study therefore identified competencies required by agricultural education graduates in green-grocery agribusiness for employment in Kwara Agricultural Zone-A, Nigeria. A 48-item questionnaire was used to obtain data from 100 green-grocers and 50 Agricultural extension agents in the four competency areas, which are planning, establishment, management and marketing. It was found that 14 competencies were required in planning green grocery, 10 competencies were required in establishing green grocery, 11 competencies were required by Agricultural Education Graduates to manage green grocery and 13 competencies were required by Agricultural Education Graduates in marketing green grocery. The hypotheses tested revealed there was a significant difference in the mean scores of the green grocers and extension agents in planning, establishment, management and marketing of green-grocery agribusiness. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the extension agents and vocational centres could package the identified competencies into modules for the training of Agricultural Education Graduates and other interested individuals in green grocery Agribusiness in the state. This would help to equip Agricultural education graduates better for green grocery agribusiness.