Determinants of Agricultural Technology Adoptions and Its Impacts on Productivity: A Case Study of Potato Producer Smallholder Farmers in Masha Woreda, Sheka Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Household Level Analysis

Alebachew Angelo

doi:10.7176/fsqm/94-05

Abstract

The study was conducted in Masha district, Sheka Zone, Southern National Regional and peoples Region (SNNPR). Five potato producing kebeles from potato producing kebeles of Masha district were selected and a total of 251 selected households were interviewed to generate primary data 2018/19. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of improved seed and fertilizer on potato productivity in Masha district. Descriptive statistics and econometrics model were employed to achieve the objective. Multiple linear regressions were employed to determine factors that influence the adoption behavior of potato production technology of farmers and propensity score matching (PSM) techniques were applied to evaluate the impact of improved seed and fertilizer on potato productivity. A sum of 12 independent variables for the multiple linear regressions was used, out of which 7 variables were found to significantly influence the adoption of potato production technology. These are: size of land the household owned, family size, access to extension agent visit, soil fertility, age square, price of fertilizer and age farm household. The study recommends that any effort in promoting potato production technology should consider the social, economic, institutional and psychological characteristics for better adoption of potato production technology. Keywords: Fertilizer, Impact, Multiple linear regressions, Propensity Score Matching, Potato DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/94-05 Publication date: February 29 th 2020

Highlights

IntroductionEthiopia is an agrarian country where more than 80% of the total population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture
Background of the StudyEthiopia is an agrarian country where more than 80% of the total population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture
Descriptive and econometric model were employed to achieve the objective of the study

Summary

Introduction

Ethiopia is an agrarian country where more than 80% of the total population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture. Accelerating agricultural growth in Ethiopia has wide-ranging impacts beyond smallholder farmers and rural development. Agricultural sector contributes 35.8% of the country’s GDP, 74% of all exports, provides raw materials for 70% of industries and employment for 72.74% of the population, directly or indirectly [1]. The agricultural technology and improved practices play a key role in increasing agricultural production and improving national food security in Ethiopia. The economic growth strategy of Ethiopia formulated in 1991, places high priority for accelerating agricultural growth and poverty alleviation by increasing yield with support of packages of technology that includes improved seed, fertilizer, and better management. Small number of farmers used improved varieties of crops, fertilizer, and farming practices in a limited area [2]

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