The main objective of this study is to identify factors affecting adoption of high yielding wheat varieties in Mao-Komo district of Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia.
Adoption of high yielding wheat varieties is one of the measures presumed to enhance wheat yield in Ethiopia. However, there are several socio-economic and institutional factors that limit the adoption of high yielding wheat varieties. Wheat is one of the major cereals of choice in Ethiopia, dominating food habits and dietary practices, and is known to be a major source of energy and protein in the country. The utilization of wheat has increased due to the growing urbanization and the expansion of agro-industries used as raw material, and also considered to attain food security in Ethiopia. It is also used for traditional foods and the straw is used for animal feed and thatching of roofs. To feed the rapidly growing population and meet the high demand of wheat in the country, it needs to increase the production and yield of wheat. However, increasing yield requires successful adoption of improved agricultural technologies.
The present study uses cross-sectional data collected from sample of 174 farm households selected through two-stage stratified random sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics and econometric models are used to analyze the data. Probit model is employed for adoption analyze of high yielding wheat varieties. The probit model result depicts that land holding size, tropical livestock unit, access to agricultural information, frequency of extension contacts, off-farm income, and perception of farmers toward attributes of high yielding wheat varieties affect the likelihood of adoption of high yielding wheat varieties positively and significantly. But sex of household heads and affiliation to organizations has negative and significant effects on the likelihood of adoption of high yielding wheat varieties. The findings suggest that the government and stakeholders should need to focus on improving farm land and livestock productivity, strengthening frequency of extension visits, encouraging participation in off-farm activities, creating reliable information and awareness towards farmers’ perceptions in the area. Finally, further support of high yielding wheat varieties adoption should be given due attention for smallholders.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. Empirical Studies on Adoption of Agricultural Technologies
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1. Description of Study Area
3.2. Methods of Data Collection and Sampling Procedures
3.4. Methods of Data Analysis
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1. Descriptive Results
4.2. Econometric Results
5. CONCLUSIONS
6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
7. REFERENCES
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The primary objective of this study is to identify and analyze the socioeconomic, institutional, and environmental factors that influence the adoption of high-yielding wheat varieties among smallholder farmers in the Mao-Komo district of Ethiopia. The research investigates how specific household attributes and external support systems determine the likelihood of farmers adopting improved agricultural technologies to enhance crop productivity.
- Determinants of technology adoption among smallholder farmers.
- Application of the binary probit econometric model for decision analysis.
- Role of institutional support, such as extension services and access to information.
- Impact of socioeconomic factors including land holding size, livestock assets, and off-farm income.
- Farmers' perceptions of technological attributes as drivers for adoption.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Description of Study Area
The study was conducted in Mao-Komo Special district of Benishangul-Gumuz Region located in the Western part of Ethiopia and stretches along the Sudanese border found around 661 km away from Addis Ababa. Mao-Komo Special district is one of the 20 districts found in Benishangul-Gumuz Region, its capital, Tongo, located 112 km away from Assosa town, the capital city of the region. It is bordered by Oromia Regional state in the East, Sudan in the West, Assosa Zone in the North and Gambela Region in the South. The altitude of the district ranges from 950-1960 m.a.s.l. The temperature of the district ranges from 17.5-32 oC. The rainfall is uni-modal which starts in the month of April and ends in mid-October. The annual rainfall ranges from 900-1800 mm with mean annual rainfall is 1316 mm, mostly received between May and September with the highest in July and August. The duration is about 6 to 7 months with good amount of rainfall distribution.
Having an area of about 2100 Km2 and population of about 42,050 (CSA, 2007), the district has 7848 households with 7185 and 663 male and female headed households, respectively. The district is mainly characterized by two agro-ecologies; namely, “Kolla” and “Woina Dega” that has been structured with 32 Kebeles that comprise 24 and 8 kebeles, respectively. From these, 5 Kebeles are the most wheat producers in the area. Farming is the predominant occupation of the people in the area since it is the main economic stay of the district. Maize, sorghum, wheat, and finger millet are the dominant cereal crops produced for consumption. Coffee, sesame, nigger seed and teff are produced for income generation in the district. Cattle, small ruminant, donkey, poultry and honey bee are the most important livestock species. The district has potential and favorable environmental and socio-economic conditions that would suitable to wheat production.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the significance of wheat for food security in Ethiopia and the necessity of increasing yields through improved technology adoption.
2. Empirical Studies on Adoption of Agricultural Technologies: Reviews existing literature and previous econometric studies regarding the adoption behavior of smallholder farmers.
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Describes the geographical setting of the study area, sampling techniques for data collection, and the binary probit model used for analysis.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Presents descriptive statistics and the results of the econometric model, highlighting key determinants like land size, extension contacts, and farmer perception.
5. CONCLUSIONS: Summarizes the study's findings and provides actionable policy recommendations to enhance technology adoption among farmers.
6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Expresses gratitude to the advisor, project coordinators, and institutions supporting the research.
7. REFERENCES: Lists the academic sources and literature utilized throughout the study.
Keywords
Adoption, High yielding wheat varieties, Smallholder, Binary probit, Agricultural technology, Extension services, Ethiopia, Socio-economic factors, Land holding, Livestock unit, Off-farm income, Farmer perception, Institutional support, Food security, Crop productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this research?
The research focuses on understanding the factors that influence the adoption of high-yielding wheat varieties by smallholder farmers in the Mao-Komo district of Ethiopia.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
The central themes include socioeconomic determinants, the impact of agricultural extension services, the role of institutional access, and how farmer perceptions of crop attributes drive the adoption of new technologies.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The objective is to identify the specific drivers—such as land size, livestock ownership, and access to information—that significantly affect whether a smallholder farmer chooses to adopt or reject improved wheat varieties.
Which scientific method is utilized in this study?
The study employs a cross-sectional data analysis using a binary probit econometric model to evaluate the likelihood of technology adoption among a sample of 174 farm households.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the descriptive statistics of the survey respondents and the detailed empirical results of the probit regression, explaining how various independent variables correlate with adoption behavior.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best characterized by terms such as smallholder farmers, high-yielding wheat varieties, technology adoption, binary probit model, extension services, and agricultural productivity.
How does land holding size affect adoption according to the study?
The study finds a positive and significant relationship between land holding size and adoption, suggesting that farmers with larger plots are more likely to adopt high-yielding varieties as they have more capacity to manage production costs.
What role do extension services play in the farmers' decision-making?
Frequent extension contacts by development agents are identified as a critical factor that helps farmers learn about new varieties and application techniques, thereby increasing the likelihood of adoption.
Why are female-headed households less likely to adopt the technology?
The study suggests that female-headed households in the area often face limitations such as lower labor endowments, smaller land holdings, and restricted access to information compared to their male counterparts.
What significance does farmer perception hold in this research?
Farmer perception of technology attributes—such as yield potential, resistance to disease, and maturity period—is found to be a primary driver for adoption, highlighting that farmers make choices based on their specific needs and priorities.
- Citar trabajo
- Regasa Wake (Autor), 2018, The Determinants of High Yielding Wheat Varieties Adoption by Small-Holder Farmers in Ethiopia, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/446948
