Evaluation of the Adoption of Improved Agricultural Practices and Factors That Affect Adoption of Tef (<i>Eragrostis tef (Zucc) Trotter</i>) in Ethiopia

Abstract

The average grain yield is low (at 1.75tha-1). Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the adoption of improved tef practices impacting yield and factors affecting the adoption of the improved agricultural practice in four regions of Ethiopia. Household surveys and crop cut surveys were used. Four districts, 101 each in Amhara, SNNP, Tigray, and 100 farmers in Oromia regions of Ethiopia were assessed in the study. Therefore, a total of 403 respondent farmers, were used. Data were analysed using SSPS. Among the seven improved agricultural practices assessed, fertilizer application, variety selection, and use, land preparation, and herbicide application showed higher adoption among the farmers. The correlation analysis results revealed that yield is positively and significantly correlated with land preparation (r=0.492), row planting (r=0.351) hand weeding (0.306), fertilizer application (r=0.143). This implies that the adoptions of these improved practices were contributing to yield increment. The result clearly indicated that the adoption of improved practices was influenced by a composite of demographic, socio-economic, and institutional factors. The partial budget analysis was employed using previous variable cost data collected in the Ada district by Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Centre. The result revealed that the highest increased income showed in Lume districts (positive net change in benefits) 37,431.2 birr ha-1 followed by Siyadebirenawayu districts which were 31,131.73 birr ha-1. However, the increased income in Lemo and Lalye Maychew were minima l9513.34 birr ha-1 and 11,469.95 birrs ha-1 respectively. The benefit-cost ratio for Lume and Siyadebir enawayu districts were 3.9 and 3.3, respectively. However, the benefit-cost ratio for Lemo and Lalye Maychew were 1.7 and 1.9, respectively. The variables significantly affect the adoption of tef improved practices by farmers were age, education level, family size, farm size, extension service provision. To solve problems of inadequate use of improved practices, Development Agents and Agricultural experts should provide farmers with more practical pieces of training under farmers’ direct participation in the demonstration centres. In order to attain food security, the nation policymakers should devise more effective farmers’ training mechanisms and provide more applicable tef production mechanizations effective on the process of tef production.