Determinants of Adoption of Improved Bread Wheat Production Technology in Southern Ethiopia

Tamirat Gizaw Deboche ,Deribe Kaske Kacharo ,Betiel Wasihun

doi:10.7176/fsqm/97-07

Abstract

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major staple and cash crops for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and is mainly grown in the central and southeastern highlands of the country. Adoption of improved agricultural technologies is one of the most important issues to insure food self-sufficiency as well as food security. However, the adoption and dissemination of improved agricultural technologies are constrained by many factors. The aim of this study was to examine factors affecting adoption and intensity of adoption of improved bread wheat production technology. Multistage sampling techniques were employed. Using a systematic random sampling technique, 168 household heads were taken as sample respondents. Structured interview schedules, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were used as primary data collection instruments. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistical analysis; mainly Chi-square test, F-test, and Pearson correlation were employed. A Tobit econometrics model was also employed with the help of statistical software. The results revealed that household heads sex, level of education, active labor force members, total land holding size, access to credit, participation in training, exposure to mass media, and frequency contact of extension agents were found to have a significant influence on adoption and intensity of adoption of improved bread wheat production technology. The overall finding of this study underlines the importance of institutional support in the areas of extension services and facilitating access to credit in order to enhance the adoption of new technologies. Therefore, the bureau of agriculture and other development practitioners should give focus to strengthening institutional support to improve the adoption of bread wheat technology. Keywords: Adoption, Technology, Bread Wheat, Tobit model DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/97-07 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Highlights

Agriculture plays a significant role in the nourishment of human kind in history and continues to have a golden share in reducing poverty through the use of new technologies
3.3.1 Factors influencing the adoption of improved bread wheat production technology
A total of 15 variables were hypothesized to influence the adoption of improved bread wheat production technology

Summary

Introduction

Agriculture plays a significant role in the nourishment of human kind in history and continues to have a golden share in reducing poverty through the use of new technologies. Agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopian economy. This particular sector determines the growth of all other sectors and, the whole national economy. It constitutes over 50% of the gross domestic product (GDP), accounts for over 85% of the labor force and earns over 90% of the foreign exchange (Alemu, 2010). The sector is dominated by small-scale farmers who practice rain-fed mixed farming by employing traditional technology, adopting a low-input and low-output production system. The land tilled by the Ethiopian small-scale farmer accounts for 95% of the total area under agricultural use, and these farmers are responsible for more than 90% of the total agricultural output (Gebreselassie and Bekele, 2010; Welteji, 2018)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion