The broad objective of the study is to analyze the detailed impact of the intervention of USAID/MARKETS on the productivity of the farmers and assess the extent to which the intervention has improved upon their maize productivity and livelihood. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the selection of the sample respondents. A total of 334 farmers were included in the study (237 participant farmers and 97 non participants representing 5% of the list of farmers selected at random. The data collected includes production and socio-economic data of the farmers. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Gross- Margin analysis, and inferential statistics such as Stochastic Frontier Production and Malmquist Productivity index. The study revealed that about 79% of the participant farmers and 15% of the non-participants had technical efficiencies score above 81% while 38% of the participants and 10% of the non-participants had allocative scores of 81% and above. The economic efficiency scores exceeding 60% were attained by 51% of the participant farmers and 2% of the non-participant farmers. The results of the analysis generally implies that, the participant farmers were more economically efficient than the non- participant farmers. Age, level of education, household size, land size and extension contact were factors that influenced farmers efficiencies. The Gross Margin analysis reveals that maize production for both participants and non-participants was profitable with a gross margin of N 129,972.5 and N 29,829 respectively. The benefit cost ratios of 3.5 and 1.61 was obtained for participants and non-participants respectively. The analysis also shows that, for every N 1.00 invested by the participants‟ farmers in maize production yields a return of N 2.5 while for non-participants the rate of returns was 0.61.The MARKETS project employed several empowerment strategies to improve the productivity and livelihood of the farmers. About 87% of the farmers showed their satisfaction on the effectiveness and timeliness of the trainings and demonstration on the use of improved seed. Similarly, 82% and 100% of the participant farmers also reported that they were satisfied with the level on extent of training received on improved agronomic practices. Access to credit and linkage to markets for their maize were some of the major constraints identified as 85.6% and 50% of the farmers reported their dis-satisfaction with the intervention in these two areas respectively. Considering the Malmquist Productivity index, the result of the analysis shows a progress in the total factor productivity growth of both categories of farmers with the MARKETS farmers having a higher growth rate of 71.8% as compared to 47.7% by the non-participant farmers. Analyzing the level of participation of the MARKETS farmers in the project reveals that 98.7% of the farmers indicated their involvement and participation in the project was strong and 1.3% had weak involvement as either members of the group or lead farmers. Further analysis showed that 97% of the farmers continued to put into practice all the technological packages introduced during the project lifespan. The remaining 3% also showed partial practice of the introduced innovation in maize production. The study revealed some constraints faced by the farmers. The farmers reported linkage to markets (Off-Takers/Processors), reliable markets with good price for produce and poor input support. The study recommended that, up-scaling farmers‟ productivity and livelihood should not be left to external donors alone. There is the need for government to intensify in agricultural empowerment programmes by strengthening the public-private partnership linkages