Adoption of Modern Box Bee Hive Technology Towards Smallholder Farmers: The Case of Sodo Zuria Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was accompanied in wolaita zone, Sodo Zuria Woreda, SNNP regional state. The general objective of the study was to assess farmers’ responses towards factors affecting adoption of modern box bee hive technology in smallholder farmers. Multi-stage sampling procedure was followed to select the kebeles and the households for the study. The data were collected from 110 purposively selected sample households from four selected kebeles using probability proportional to size. The semi Structured interview schedule was established, pre-tested and used for assembly the important data for the study from the sampled households. For the validity and reliability of data, focus group discussion and key informant interviews were also conducted to generate qualitative data. In addition, secondary data were collected from relevant sources such as internet, books, agricultural and rural development offices. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to describe the nature of data and examine the significance of the relationship between dependent variable and independent variable. Furthermore, Binary logit model was used to determine the relative influence of independent variables on the dependent variable. The result of descriptive statistics revealed that out of the total sample respondents 43.6% were adopters and 56.4 % of them were non-adopters. The results of the study indicated that sex, education, participation in cooperative organization, utilization to credit, contact with extension agent, Farm size, training, distance to market center and relative disadvantage were found to have positive and significant influence on adoption of improved box bee hive technology. While non-farm activity, beekeeping experience, age, and labor force, TLU, of the households not significantly related with the adoption of improved box bee hive technology. The whole findings of the study underlined the significance of institutional support in the areas of extension, research and training concerning the production of improved box bee hive technology. Henceforth, agricultural policy and development interventions should be given consideration to the enhancement of such institutional support to farmers so as to achieve wider adoption of improved box bee hive technology to smallholder farmers. Key terms: adoption, improved box DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/12-6-02 Publication date: October 31 st 2022