This study examined the relationship between the adoption of bio-fortified provitamin- A cassava varieties and farming households’ health outcomes using cross sectional data obtained from 318 cassava farmers in southeast Nigeria. The data was analysed using binary logistic regression, propensity score matching of treatment effects and percentages. The study found that number of children under five, household size, education of head of household, extension service, ownership of television, radio, mobile phone and tricycle, membership of cooperative societies, and access to credit were the significant predictors of adoption of pro-vitamin-A bio-fortified cassava varieties in the States. The study also found that the main constraints militating against adoption of pro-vitamin-A bio-fortified cassava include decaying of roots immediately after maturation,high cost of cassava stem, and high moisture content. The estimate of the effect of the adoption of bio-fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties onincidence of vitamin-A deficiency related diseases was significant with an average treatment effect on the adopters of -0.463. The adoption of bio- fortified pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties has substantial effect on the reduction of vitamin-A deficiency related health outcomes. There is need for wider awareness and dissemination of the varieties among cassava farmers, while interventions should target the promotion of both production and consumption of such cassava varieties. Key words: adoption of bio-fortified cassava varieties; vitamin A deficiency related diseases

The study assessed the awareness, access and utilization of certified seeds by rice farmers in Ebonyi State. One hundred and Twenty respondents were selected for the study using a multi-stage random sampling procedure. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with percentages, mean and Probit regression at 5% significance level. Results show that 51.7% of the farmers were aware of certified rice seeds. The main sources of information on certified seeds were cooperative associations (72.5%) and mass media (49.0 %). Certified rice seeds were available for the farmers (x̄ =1.8) but not always accessible ( x̄= 1.3). Majority of the farmers utilized FARO 44 (74.2%) due to its early maturing and high yielding quality. Membership of a cooperative association (0.600) and ownership of phones (0.012) had positive significant influence on the utilization of certified seeds. The study concludes that rice farmers have low access to certified seeds and recommends that the value chain for the distribution of certified seeds should be re-invigorated to ensure that certified seeds become more accessible to farmers

The study assessed the effects of climate-smart agricultural practices on cassava farmers’ output in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents. Data were analysed using percentages, mean statistics and correlation analysis. The results show that early planting was adopted by 100% of farmers. However, a lack of credit (78.33%) was ranked as the highest constraint. A statistically significant positive correlation (0.3131) was found between climate-smart agricultural practices and output. The study concludes that early planting practices are widely adopted, while lack of credit presents a significant challenge to adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices. Despite these challenges, CSA practices were found to have the ability to enhance cassava farmers’ output. To overcome these challenges, the study recommends implementing robust extension services, providing financial support, and offering education programmes to promote CSA adoption among farmers.