Although many countries have made significant progress in the last decade, poverty and malnutrition continue
to be major problems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Experts estimate that rising food prices have driven about 44
million people into poverty in developing countries since June 2010, as food costs continue to rise. Innovation
adoption is key to increasing farm productivity. This necessited this study on innovation adoption, farm
productivity and poverty status of rural smallholder farm households in South-Eastern Nigeria. This was
premised on the fact that increasing agricultural productivity can increase food availability and access as well as
rural incomes as the rural areas are home to 75 percent of Africa’s population, most of whom count agriculture
as their major source of income. Data collected using structured questionnaire and interview schedules were
analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency tables, percentages, regression analysis and
Chow’s test statistic. Result of data analysis revealed that the most adopted innovations/technologies were use
of inorganic fertilizer, improved seed, terracing, crop residue recycling, crop rotation and use animal waste. The
significant factors influencing adoption of the innovations/technologies were gender, age, years of formal
education attainment, household income, extension contact and membership of cooperative. The Chow’s test
revealed that innovation/technology adoption have significant and positive impact on farm productivity. Also,
the study revealed improved livelihood or better welfare for innovation adopters than for non-adopters.
Therefore, efforts at increasing farm productivity and reducing poverty among farm households should involve
policies that would encourage the households to embrace or step up adoption of agricultural innovations should
be put in place. This should involve educating and enlightening the farm households on the benefits of these
innovation. In this respect, agricultural extension services should be strengthened to provide the informal
training that helps to unlock the natural talents and inherent enterprising qualities of the farm households,
enhancing his ability to understand and evaluate new production techniques/innovations leading to increased
farm productivity and incomes with concomitant reduction in poverty.