ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this study was to determine the skills required by rural women in the production of organic pepper in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. Specifically, the study sought to determine the skills required in application of compost as soil amendment, organic pest and disease management, post harvest techniques and marketing skills by rural women for organic pepper production. Four research questions and four null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey design and was conducted in Odukpani Local Government Area. The population comprised of 146respondents in Odukpani Local Government Area. A sample size of 130 rural women was determined using Taro Yamane formula and selected from the population using census. A researcher-made instrument tagged “Skills Required by Rural Women in Organic Pepper Production Questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire was administered to the sampled rural women and retrieved on the spot. Independent t-test statistics was used in answering the four research questions and also used to analyze data used in testing the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study indicated that skills in application of compost as soil amendment, organic pest and disease management, post harvest and marketing techniques were highly required by rural women. More so, there is no significant difference in the responses of rural women and Agric. Science teachers in the skills by rural women in application of compost as soil amendment, organic pest and disease management, post harvest and marketing. It was concluded that application of compost as soil amendment, organic pest and disease management, post harvest and marketing techniques are essentially needed by rural women in organic pepper production. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended among others that extension agents should enlighten rural women on the benefits of compost in the nourishment of organic pepper for efficient organic pepper production.
