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ISSN : 2456-8643

Title:
CAPACITY BUILDING SKILLS OF RURAL CASSAVA FARMERS AS A STRATEGY FOR ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS IN NIGERIA. (A CASE STUDY OF RIVERS STATE)

Authors:
Nnodim A.U. and Jackson I. Ndidi

Abstract:
This study focused on capacity building skills needed by cassava farmers for improved value addition in cassava production in Rivers State. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Three research questions guided the study. The sample for the study was one hundred and twenty-six (126) made up of 101 cassava farmers and 25 extension agents randomly selected. A 27 skill item questionnaire was developed from literature reviewed. The instrument was validated and reliability established using test-retest and coefficient of 0.83 values. One hundred and twenty-six (126) copies of the questionnaire were administered on the respondents and all the copies of the questionnaire were retrieved and analyzed using weighted mean and standard deviation. It was found out that cassava farmers required capacity building skills in agrotechnology, planning, and marketing for improved value addition in the cassava processing enterprise It was recommended that for improved value addition and profitability in the value chain, Rural women should be trained on the identified needed skills by extension agents through seminars and workshops, educational enlightenment programmes should be initiated to help them see reasons for improved value addition in cassava production, and government should provide inputs , material resources and deployment of qualified extension agents to the rural areas for training on use of modern agro-technologies for conversion of cassava roots to other improved products/inputs

Keywords:

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