INTEGRATING EXCELLENT RESEARCH PRACTICES IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Research in Agricultural Education is one of the ways of improving productivity in the agricultural sector. It is also a strong tool in achieving sustainable development through addressing the menace of hunger and poverty. The principles   of excellent research practices include honesty, openness, clear and accurate documentation of results, appropriate storage of results, appropriate collaborations and exercising a duty of care to all those involved in the research. Various strategies can be adopted for integrating excellent research practices in agricultural education to achieve sustainable development and these include mentoring programmes, research funding, continuing education, establishment of agricultural science education research centers, proper placements and research recognition.  It is therefore recommended that orientation programs with special concentration on research should be organized for student researchers (undergraduates and post-graduates) in the field of Agricultural Education to ensure that they are well informed of excellent research practices in the field of Agricultural Education. Also, various in-service training programs in the form of conferences, seminars, workshops etcetera should be organized   for teaching staffs of Agricultural Education to regularly educate them on excellent research practices in their discipline.