Path analysis of exogenous variables against technology adoption levels of dairy cattle in West Sumatera

Abstract

Path analysis of the regression equation can be used to see the direct and also indirect influence of some exogenous variables against endogenous variables. The rate of feed technology adoption as an endogenous variables can be directly or indirectly influenced by some exogenous variables. The purpose of this research was to test multiple exogenous characteristics variables of dairy cows farms against the feed technology adoption rate as endogenous variables, through path analysis. Research conducted in the city of Padang Panjang, West Sumatra in particular farmer group of dairy cattle in 2016. Endogenous variable is the level of adoption of feed technology (Z). Whereas the exogenous variables are the level of education (X<sub>1</sub>), the age of farmer (X<sub>3</sub>), the amount of cow's lactation (X<sub>2</sub>), farm scale (Y<sub>1</sub>) and milk production (Y<sub>2</sub>). The last two variables are variables which are bridging the influence indirectly. Obtained results showed that only X<sub>3</sub> which directly influenced Z, with a value of ρ<sub>Zx3</sub> = 0.834 and P = 0.018. Other variables X<sub>1</sub> and X<sub>2</sub> partly significantly influenced Y<sub>1</sub> and X<sub>2</sub> significantly influenced Y<sub>2</sub> with value of path coefficient in successively ρ<sub>y1x1</sub> = 0.133 and P = 0.040; ρ<sub>y1x2</sub> = 0.982 and P = 0.000; ρ<sub>y2x2</sub> = 0.841 and P = 0.008. Therefore, there was no special model of causal relationships between the empirical variables X and Y against Z, except the X<sub>3</sub> which had structure model Z = ρ<sub>Zx3</sub> X<sub>3</sub> + ρ<sub>Zε2</sub> = 0.834 X<sub>3</sub> + 0.217 ε<sub>2</sub>. It was concluded that the age strongly influenced the feeding technology adoption. The older the age of farmers, the more difficult for adopting recommended technology.