The study examined factors underlying farmers’ perception about pro-vitamin-A cassava varieties and their willingness to cultivate them in Kwara State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty-two (122) cassava farmers, selected through a multistage sampling procedure, were used for the study. Data were collected through the use of interview schedule and analysed using percentages, mean and standard deviation. Chi-square, likelihood ratio and factor (principal component) analysis were used for inferential deduction. Results showed that about half (50.8%) of the respondents had high knowledge about the improved cassava variety and a vast majority (93.4%) expressed willingness to cultivate it. Sex (χ2 = 3.542) and knowledge level (χ2 = 15.732) had significant association with willingness to cultivate at p≤0.05, with female farmers found to be about 3 times more likely willing to cultivate than male. Also, farmers with more knowledge were found to be about 6 times more likely willing to cultivate pro-vitamin-A than those with little knowledge. Three crucial factors (‘ethno-based preference’, ‘culturally induced personal preference’ and ‘colour dislike’) were found to be associated with farmers’ perception about the cassava variety. Farmers in Kwara State were willing to cultivate the pro-vitamin-A cassava variety. Women and those who had more knowledge were more willing to cultivate the variety than men and those with little knowledge, respectively. Factors underlying farmers’ perception about the variety were linked to ethno-cultural background and dislike for yellow root cassava. The need for more female integration and increased nutritional education in the drive towards popularisation of pro-vitamin-A cassava variety are thus recommended. Key words: Pro-vitamin-A cassava, willingness to cultivate, nutritional education

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This study examines the analysis of yam storage strategy to promote food security in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Data was collected from 110 respondents, using wellstructured interviews schedule. The data was analysed using frequency distribution, percentages, means and probit model to test for significance. The study found that barn (47.3%) and indigenous plant materials (27.3%) were the common storage strategy used which are not capable of ensuring good storage for yam produce till off season. Probit model analysis revealed that the selected personal characteristics had significant (p<0.05) influence on farmer's choice of strategy used. Deterioration of yam that reduces its quality (mean score 2.01) has also been the leading problem faced in marketing yam produce. It was concluded that these are one of the major reasons for food insecurity among farmers in the study area. It was recommended that farmers should be provided with information regarding improved storage strategies as well as exposed to training on their use.

The study identified development projects instituted under the CSDP, ascertained extent of community participation at every critical stage of the project and determined whether perceived sustainability of CSDPs was significantly related to community participation in Kwara State. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents for the study. Structured interview schedule was used for data collection while percentages, mean scores and the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used for data analysis. Community participation in organization of and attendance at meeting and financial contribution was high with weighted mean scores of 1.62 and 1.50, respectively, but low in most other project components. There was significant but positive relationship between age (r = 0.25), estimated monthly income (r = 0.26) and perceived sustainability (r = 0.31) and community participation at p ≤ 0.01. In contrast, there was significant but inverse relationship between community participation and number of project executed (r = -0.25). In conclusion, extent of community participation was low in most project components and community participation tended to increase with higher monthly income, fewer number of projects individual participated in, and higher perceived sustainability of the projects. Stakeholders of the CSDPs at government’s and grassroots’ levels should allow for more engagement of the people at all components of the CSDPs and the local communities should take on fewer projects at a time so as to enhance community participation.Keywords: Community participation, CSDP, participatory development, perceived sustainability, gender balance