Determinants of Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties for Male Headed and Female Headed Households in West Harerghe Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper examined gender disparities in adoption of improved maize varieties between male headed and female headed households in Kuni district of West Harerghe zone, Ethipia. The study was based on cross-sectional data collected from a total of 148 respondents (115 were female headed and 33 were male-headed), using pre-tested structured interview schedule. The binary logit model results revealed that the adoption of improved maize variety is biased by gender, where FHH adopt the improved varieties less. Number of livestock units, extension services and cultivated land size had a significant and positive influence on the adoption decision of improved maize varieties, whereas age and distance to input market had a significant and negative influence on the adoption decision for MHH. Cultivated land size and distance to input market did not significantly affect the adoption of improved maize varieties for FHH, mainly due to less access of female heads to resources and services. Therefore, policy should address gender disparities in access to resources and extension services that exist because of socio-cultural and institutional factors limiting the adoption of technologies for FHH. In general, gender sensitive participatory technology development; improved literacy rate, efficient inputs delivery systems, and access to technical advice and market are essential to accelerate agricultural development through technology adoption.