Improved Cassava Varieties and Change In Livelihoods of Cassava Farmers: A Case Study Of Rwamagana District

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of improved cassava varieties on change in livelihoods among small-scale cassava farmers in Rwamagana District. Data were collected from questionnaire administered to a sample of 94 improved cassava farmers randomly selected from total number of 1567 cassava farmers, registered in GLCI project and from direct interview and focus group discussion with community leaders, key informants and partners. Data collected were analyzed using SPSSv16.0. The results showed that many respondents were happy to list the changes that cassava had brought to their life and increasing of food security and household income were the most noted. The study recommends extension workers to have personal contacts with farmers to ensure the dissemination of improved varieties is done jointly with sensitization on their performance to promote a wide dissemination