Abstract
A study was undertaken to analyze factors affecting the demand for inorganic fertilizer in Boricha and Wondogenet farming Districts, Southern Ethiopia. Data on gender, educational level, farming experience, health status, soil fertility status, organic fertilizer used, access to inorganic fertilizer, ownership and size of cultivated farm, on-farm income, contact with DAs, availability of certified seed, and credit access were recorded using structured and semi-structured questionnaire on purposively selected one hundred eighty farmers. Descriptive statistics and econometric methods were employed to analyze the data using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 19.0. The regression model revealed the number of oxen owned, cultivated farm size, access to certified seed, availability of fertilizer, contact with DAs, and on-farm income had a significant influence on the demand of inorganic fertilizer in the districts. The study suggested intensifying cultivated farms, sustaining extension services, strengthening fertilizer credit facility, providing improved seeds, and increasing on farm income of the farmers require immediate intervention in the study districts. Key words: Factors, affecting, demand, inorganic fertilizer, South Ethiopia.
Highlights
Major economic and social measures have shown that agriculture is the dominant sector in the Ethiopian economy which contributes 55% of GDP, 80% of employment opportunity, 60% of export earnings and 70% of raw materials for domestic industries (World Bank, 2016)
The regression model revealed the number of oxen owned, cultivated farm size, access to certified seed, availability of fertilizer, contact with DAs, and on-farm income had a significant influence on the demand of inorganic fertilizer in the districts
This implies that adoption of inorganic fertilizer was less attractive to farmers who had large number of oxen owned and an increase in the number of oxen could lead farmers to shift in fattening of animals that would discouraged them to use oxen for ploughing which in turn decrease the adoption of inorganic fertilizer
Summary
Major economic and social measures have shown that agriculture is the dominant sector in the Ethiopian economy which contributes 55% of GDP, 80% of employment opportunity, 60% of export earnings and 70% of raw materials for domestic industries (World Bank, 2016). Despite its highest share in the country’s economy, the performance of the sector cannot bridge the wide food demand of the increasing population (Eilittä, 2017; Anonymous, 2018). Projections showed the population will continue to grow at a faster pace and the urgency of maximizing crop production through adoption of improved agricultural technologies like fertilizer is of paramount importance (CSA, 2015; Freeman et al, 2016).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
