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 Background: This research project was proposed to determine the
genetic variability (if any) of beast maguey (Agave antillanarumDecourt) populations, by means
of molecular markers of the AFLPs (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) type. For the
determination of genetic variability, samples were collected from wild populations of maguey
growing in some regions of the Dominican Republic, mainly the north, northwest, south and
southwest regions, using statistical techniques already established for these cases. These samples
were processed and analyzed in the plant molecular biology laboratory of the Centtro de
Biotecnologia Vegetal (CEBIVE) of Instituto de Innovacionen Biotecnologia e Industria (IIBI)
in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Results: As for the genetic diversity is concerned, it
was found that several of the populations studied differ from each other without taking into
account the geographic distance where they grow. We concluded that there is a possibility that
more than one species of Agave antillarun could be found in the wild in the Dominican Republic.
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