Determinants of Maize Productivity: Evidence from Smallholder Maize Farmers in Gudeya Bila District, Ethiopia

Abstract

Agriculture is the center stage in the economic policy development of Ethiopia. The agricultural sector in Ethiopia is characterized by low maize productivity due to backward technology adoption. Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economic development of a country; without achieving substantial enhancement in agricultural production and productivity, no country has moved to the take-off stage of economic development. The general objective of the study is to assess the determinants of maize crop productivity in the Gudeya Bila District. The study aims to investigate the determinants of maize productivity in the study area. The primary and secondary data were collected from 100 maize growers in the study location during 2018/19. Descriptive statistics and econometric methods were developed for the data analysis. Qualitative and quantitative primary data were developed. To get the required primary data questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions were used. For the data analysis, Ordinary Least Square Model (OLS) was employed. The study found that sex, landholding, number of oxen, fertilizers, family size, educational status, the fair price of output, and improved seed were positively influencing maize production and productivity; whereas age, the acidity of land, and credit were negatively influencing maize production and productivity in the study area. The study recommended that the stallholder farmers should be enhanced the use of oxen, fertilizer, improved seed, knowledge, and fair price of output to enhance maize productivity. Therefore, concern bodies should give important attention to maize production and productivity, which in turn increase smallholder income. Keywords: Agriculture, Maize crop, OLS, Productivity, Smallholder farmers, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-7-02 Publication date: April 30 th 2022