Implementing Agricultural Vocational Training: Challenges and Implications for Food Security in Nigeria

Abstract

Deploying agricultural extension programmes to combat food insecurity and poverty has always been top on the agenda of Nigerian government. The Vocational Training Scheme(VTP) is one of those anti-poverty intervention schemes Since the VTP was introduced in the wake of the Global Food Crisis of 2008, conspicuously missing are empirical studies that have explored how it has fared. So this study investigates the extent to which the scheme has fulfilled its objectives. Principally, the study examines the perceptions of the beneficiaries of the scheme. Accrued knowledge is expected to be useful to policymakers and implementation agencies. Primary data was elicited through Key Informant and In-depth Interview (IDIs) from 30 trainees selected through snowball methods. Secondary data were retrieved from archival materials and government bulletins. Findings revealed that the scheme is riddled with disenchantments over low start-up capital, preferential treatments in the selection process, paltry funding, inadequate training and insufficient agricultural inputs, obsolete knowledge dissemination. The study concluded that there is a need for a revamping for effective service delivery. It recommends that the observed flaws in the scheme can be addressed by providing low interests credits;  removal of all forms of opaqueness in the selection process; setting up of monitoring committee to ensure due diligence in implementation.