Factors Affecting the Adoption and Intensity of Use of Improved Forages in North East Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Analysis of crop-livestock integration aims at understanding the existing interactions between crops and livestock and assessing their potential for improvement in smallholders' farming systems. The objective of this study was to identify factors affecting the probability of adoption and intensity of use of improved forage technologies in mixed farming systems in two districts of south Wollo zone, in Ethiopia. A double hurdle model was employed using data collected from randomly selected 252 farmers between July 2009 and November 2009. The study revealed low utilization of improved forage seed which covered only 1.3% of total cultivated land in Ethiopia. The results of the study provided empirical evidence of a positive impact of extension and credit service in enhancing the probability of adoption of improved forage technologies. The intensity of use of improved forage in the study area was influenced by labour available, size of livestock ownership and farm size. Physical characteristics like distance from farmers’ home to all weather roads, markets and input supply played a critical role in the adoption of improved forage technologies. Therefore, the results of the study suggest that the adoption of improved forage should be enhanced by raising farm household asset formation, and providing extension and credit services.