An assessment of leadership training needs of executive members of farmer-groups in Oyo State, Nigeria

The failure of farmers’ associations in Nigeria has been linked to leadership incompetency. In this study we investigated the leadership training needs of executives of farmers’ associations in Oyo State. Specifically, we examined the importance associated with the leadership roles by the executives, investigated their competence levels and identified the constraints they face in carrying out their roles. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 195 respondents on which an interview schedule was administered. The obtained data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Borich’s Needs Assessment Model and the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation. The respondents were middle-aged (52 years) with an average of 26 years farming experience and seven years of farmer-group membership. About 66 % had no formal education. Only 36.9 % of the groups originated out of felt needs, 44.1 % of the leaders emerged by selection, and the average group size was 28. Although the respondents affirmed the importance of all the 15 identified leadership roles, their competence level in 11 of the roles was low. Areas of training needs identified include resource mobilization and control, and the establishment of linkages with major stakeholders in agriculture. At P < 0.05 some personal and group characteristics of the respondents were related to their training needs. Inadequate knowledge of the roles and poor cooperation of members were the most severe constraints to effective leadership of the associations. The study concluded that the leaders of farmer-groups in the state had training needs which must be addressed to ensure the sustainability of the groups.