Agricultural innovation can halt the vicious cycle of poverty by improving income while reducing hunger, malnutrition and improve health. The specific objective of this study is estimates of the impact of NERICA adoption on rice yields, income and food expenditure of male and female farmers in selected states Nigeria (first generation of NERICA project beneficiaries). A three stage sampling was done: the states and the villages were purposively selected. while two adjacent villages and the farmers were randomly selected. Data for the study were as collected from primary source using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and counterfactual analytical procedure using two instrumental variable(IV)-based estimators to estimate the Local Average Treatment Effect (LATE) of adoption of rice variety innovation on productivity and poverty indicators health and education of women and men in NERICA dissemination project States in Nigerian. Sixty (60%) of male headed household with autonomous production systems for husband and wives adopted the rice innovation. The percentage of adopter dropped from 42% significantly to 40% in 2010 due to lack of access to seed. The result indicated a 354.61Kg yield impact recorded for female adopters. When compared with the male farmers, the female adopters had 84% more yield increase than male adopters. The implication is that adoption of rice innovation (NERICA) will be expected to be high in household where both men and women are empowered to make decision as relates to agriculture. Innovations have to be accessible to for transformation to take place.