ABSTRACT

 The study was to evaluate the efficiency of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) to Agricultural skill acquisition in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike. The specific objectives were to identify agricultural disciplines students are practically exposed to during their industrial attachment, to identify the skill acquired by industrial attachees of this scheme, to identify the level of involvement of the SIWES students in farm management practices and decision, to find out if the farms are adequately equipped with agricultural production and processing facilities that would enhance knowledge and skill of student and to ascertain and categories the constraints confronting agricultural students while in the scheme. A random sample of 150 fourth-year and fifth-year students of B. Agric. of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike was used. Data were collected by using structured questionnaire and interview. The data was analysed using percentages, frequency distribution bar charts and difference between mean (t-test). The results indicated that out of 14 agricultural enterprises identified, only Annual Crop Production, Poultry (broiler/layers) production (94.6%), Ruminant production (beef related) 93.3%, and Agricultural marketing ( 85.3%), were found to be highest performed disciplines. Majority of the students (7 2.7%) were satisfied with one-year duration of the scheme. Accepting responsibility, setting goals, self motivation, self discipline, knowledge of livestock industry and building positive self esteem were some of the skills acquired. The students were highly involved in farm management, areas of Record keeping and Accounting (72%), and what price to make sale of product (55%). Poor facilities at disposal of students'(92.7%), lack of water (borehole) for dry season farming (92.7%), lack of good path/roads leading to the farm (84.7%) and treatment of students as casual laborers(87.3%) were identified as the major constraints of students in the scheme. Areas needing improvement in the schemes include effective orientation before scheme, evaluation of the scheme for over-haul, rotating trainees on farm for other exposure and thorough supervision and visitation. There is no significant relationship between Age and skill acquisition and there is a significant relationship between Sex and Skill acquisition. It was recommended among others that the students should be rotated to deferent farm-firms or agro-allied Industries outside the school for more exposure. Effort should be made by those involved in monitoring of SIWES programme to determine if the farms or farm-firms students were exposed are adequately equipped with equipment that will aid in practical skill acquisition. Supervision, monetary assistance and evaluation of students to ascertain if actually the STWES programme contributes to skill acquisition are necessary. Monitoring and supervision of students at the attachments area should be improved so that the students will be serious and be punctual. The University should provide borehole for dry season farming and good path/roads leading to the farms.