Effect of adoption of improved cassava varieties on the livelihoods of the rural farmers in Nsukka local government area of Enugu state, Nigeria

Over the years, the use of local varieties of cassava by farmers especially in the study area had not appreciably improved the livelihood status of the farmers. This study, therefore, examined the effects of adoption of improved cassava varieties on the livelihoods of the rural farmers in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State in Nigeria. Data for the study were collected from 110 respondents with the aid of structured questionnaire, using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data for the study were analyzed with descriptive stat collected were subsequently analyzed with the use of simple descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The result showed that 65% of farmers were between age ranges of 26 - 55 years. The results further revealed that 91.8% of the farmers had farming experience of between 6 and 26 years and 90% aware of the improved varieties. The correlation analysis revealed that there were strong positive correlations between adoption of improved cassava varieties and increased productivity of farmers, enhanced farm income, household hunger reduction and improved nutrition. The farmers identified lack of farm inputs, inadequate funds and high cost of labour as major problems of cassava production. Policies aimed at encouraging farmers to form cooperatives, access to credit and subsidy on farm inputs were advocated for increased adoption of cassava varieties.Keywords: Adoption, Livelihoods and Rural Farmers