Frequency Of Extension Contact Research Articles

Rural Households' Demand Status for Mitigation of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC Invasion and Its Determinant Factors in Ethiopia: Empirical Evidence from Afar National Regional State.

Ethiopia is among the world's poorest nations, and its economy is growing extremely slowly; thus, the government's budget to manage environmental amenities is not always sufficient. Thus, for the provision of environmental management services such as the eradication of Prosopis juliflora, the participation of local households and other stakeholders is crucial. This study is therefore initiated with the objective of assessing rural households' demands for mitigating Prosopis juliflora invasion in the Afar Region of Ethiopia. A multistage sampling technique was employed to obtain the 313 sample rural households that were used in the analysis, and those sample households were selected randomly and independently from the Amibara and Awash Fentale districts of Afar National Regional State, Ethiopia. In doing this, a seemingly unrelated bivariate probit model was used to determine factors affecting rural households' demands for mitigating Prosopis juliflora invasion. Consequently, as per the inferential statistical results, there was a significant mean/percentage difference between willing and nonwilling households for the hypothesized variables, except for some variables such as farm experience; years lived in the area, distance from the market, and dependency ratio. Furthermore, the seemingly unrelated bivariate probit model result indicates that sex, family size, tenure security, livestock holding, frequency of extension contact, and years lived in the area were important factors influencing the willingness to participate in Prosopis juliflora management practices positively, whereas age, off-farm/nonincome, and bid value affected willingness to pay negatively and significantly. Hence, to improve the participation level of households, policymakers should target these variables.

Assessing soil erosion and farmers’ decision of reducing erosion for sustainable soil and water conservation in Burji woreda, southern Ethiopia

Inadequate conservation practice affects the sustainable production of agricultural watersheds due to erosion and fertility decline. Understanding soil erosion and implementing site-specific conservation practice could enhance agriculture-based rural development. The study was aimed to document soil erosion problem and soil and water conservation effort. The specific objectives of this study were to assess soil erosion severity, practices to reduce erosion, and determinants of the decision to reduce erosion. Data were collected by interviewing 198 farm household heads, undertaking four focus group discussions, and assessing rill erosion in 10 farm fields in Morayo and Wacho sub-watersheds of southern Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics and binary logit model were applied to analyze the data. Results indicated that many of the farm households, 63% in Morayo and 83% in the Wacho sub-watershed, perceived moderate to severe soil erosion, which is characterized by big rills and small gullies on the farmlands. Rill densities of 231.4 m ha−1 and 84.1 m ha−1 in the Morayo and Wacho sub-watersheds were observed, respectively. The estimated annual soil loss due to rills was 61.2 and 23.4 Mg ha−1 in the Morayo and Wacho sub-watersheds, respectively. The soil erosion from rills alone exceeds the expected tolerable soil erosion (11 tons ha−1 year−1). Due to erosion, about 90% of farmers perceived farmland degradation as described by a progressive decline in crop yield. Farmers used to practice traditional techniques to reduce erosion and government introduced conservation measures such as soil and stone bunds. However, many farmers did not use well-promoted conservation measures such as bunds, which could have negative impact on long-term erosion control effort and sustainable implementation of the conservation options. Among the assessed explanatory variables, educational level, farm distance from home, slope of the cultivated land, and frequency of extension contact were significantly affected (p < 0.05) farmers’ sustainable use of conservation measures. Development planners and policy makers are advised to consider site-specific and innovative approaches to implement conservation measures in sustainable approach in the smallholder crop-livestock mixed agriculture system.

Adoption of community-based land rehabilitation programs (CBLRP) and its effect on livelihoods in Offa district, south Ethiopia

Land degradation is a major issue in Ethiopia and has a significant impact on agriculture and subsistence. Community-based land restoration projects are essential to address this issue. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a community-based land restoration programs and its impact on livelihoods in the Offa District of south Ethiopia. Four Kebeles were randomly selected for the study and 133 household heads (52 program participants and 81 non-participants) were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data was collected by using an interview schedule, focus-group discussions, and key informant interviews. Data were analyzed using a binary logistic regression model, propensity score matching, participation index (PI), t-test, and chi-square test. The results showed that the implemented land rehabilitation measures had higher crop production and farm income for most adopter households compared to their counterparts. The logistic regression model revealed that the slope of farmland, gender of household heads, family size, perception of rehabilitation, access to training, and farm experience positively influenced household participation in the community-based land rehabilitation programme (CBLRP) in the study area. However, the age of the respondents, access to education, size of farmland, frequency of extension contact positively and ownership of livestock negatively influenced household participation. Propensity score matching revealed that CBLRP resulted in higher crop output and farm revenue for most participating families than counterparts. Based on these findings, it is recommended that agricultural and rural development offices, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders should consider the factors that influence household participation in rehabilitation programs in the study area to effectively address the issue of the households’ participation at various levels of rehabilitation programs.

Factors Affecting Adoption of Wheat Row Planting Technology in Girar Jarso Woreda, North Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in Ethiopia. However, low production and productivity of wheat, which is mainly associated with poor adoption of technologies, is persistent in Ethiopia. In this regard, this study was conducted with the aim to find out the adoption level of wheat row planting technology and to identify factors that affect the adoption of wheat row planting in Girar Jarso woreda, North Shew zone, Oromia regional State, Ethiopia. In order to achieve these objectives, 118 rural households were selected by using three stage sampling procedure. Both primary and secondary data were used. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model. The study result shows that about 45.76% and 54.24% of sample respondents were found to be adopter and non-adopter of wheat row planting technology respectively. A binary logistic regression model result shows that, age of the household head, education level of household, year of farming experience; total labor availability, total annual income and frequency of extension contact were found to be significant in affecting the adoption of wheat row planting. Therefore, the study recommends, the government, development workers, and policymakers should consider the provision of education and extension services. This study also suggests that, policymakers and development organizations should consider infrastructure development (particularly access to markets), and credit is important.

Impact of Modern Beehive Technology Adoption on Household Income: Evidence from North Shewa Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Hidabu Abote, Dera, Wera Jarso and Debra Libanos districts of North Shewa zone are potential in honey production. To enhance this potential, different organizations disseminate improved beehives technologies for the smallholder farmers. However, the impact of the disseminated technologies on household income has not been evaluated. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of improved beehive adoption on household income. Purposive and two stage sampling technique was used to select 384 sampled households. The study used logistic regression model to identify the determinants of adoption decision of modern beehive technology while propensity score matching to evaluate the impact of modern beehive technology adoption on household income. The result of logistic regression model shows that age of household head, family size, households experience in beekeeping, frequency of extension contact, access to credit services, access to training and access to beehive demonstration site visit had positive and significant effect on household adoption decision of modern beehive technology. The result of propensity score matching indicates that the adopters of improved beehive technology were earned Birr 2690.383 than non-adopter. The difference in household income between the two groups shows that there is considerable room for improvement of household income through increasing the number of adopter of improved beehives technology in the study area. This should be done through provision of training, credit, extension and expansion of beehive demonstration site among the others.

Determinants of adoption of small-scale irrigation practices as adaptation strategies to climate change stresses in Kersa District, Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to assess the factors influencing farmers’ decisions to adopt small-scale irrigation practices as an adaptation strategy to climate change in Kersa district, East Hararghe Zone, Oromia. The data were collected from a sample of 288 farm households (130 adopter and 158 non-adopters). Both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from primary and secondary sources. A binary logistics regression model was used to identify the determinants of irrigation scheme adoption. The results indicate that the adoption of small-scale irrigation scheme was influenced by the age of the household head, dependency ratio, distance from water source, household size, frequency of extension contact, access to credit, livestock holding, off/nonfarm activities, membership in an agricultural cooperative, access to climate information, and perception of climate change, which had significant positive effects. Small-scale irrigation practices are a practical solution to lessen the effects of climate change stresses. Therefore, to improve rural farm productivity and lessen the effects of climate change stresses, the agricultural and natural resources office should focus scientific attention on the key factors that influence the adoption of small-scale irrigation.

Sustainable Use of Soil and Water Conservation Technologies and Its Determinants: The Case of the Handosha Watershed, Omo-Gibe River Basin, Ethiopia

For the past forty years, Ethiopia has been promoting sustainable land management activities to enhance agricultural productivity. This study was intended to identify the factors determining farmers’ adoption and continued use of soil bund measures in the Handosha watershed, Omo-Gibe river basin. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 340 households using the Heckman sample selection model. A total of 235 (69.12%) households adopted soil bunds, but only 89 (37.87%) of them were sustainably practicing soil bunds on their farm plots. Most adopters widely practiced soil bunds (49.42%), followed by stone bund (15.9%), and Fanyajuu (10%). The empirical results of the Heckman sample selection model showed that the farming experience, land tenure security, and perception of profitability of conservation measures were significantly positively affected the adoption of soil bund. Whereas, farm plot size and participation in off farm activities significantly negatively influenced the adoption of soil bund. Sustainable use of soil bund measures were significantly positively influenced by land tenure security, family size, and frequency of extension contact, whereas the distance between farm plots and home, and farm plot size were negatively affected. As a result, a design of agro-ecological-based soil and water conservation (SWC) measures was essential in reducing farmland vulnerability to soil erosion and food insecurity. It has been concluded that conservation practices should not only focus on the implementation and biophysical factors but also consider the socioeconomic interests of the farmers to improve the sustainable use of conservation technologies.

Determinants of maize farmers market participation in Southern Ethiopia: Emphasis on demographic, socioeconomic and institutional factors

Maize is the main cereal crop that supports the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers in Africa. However, one of the main bottlenecks for maize production is low market penetration. This study examined the factors influencing the likelihood of smallholder farmers taking part in maize trading in southern Ethiopia using cross-sectional data collected from 360 smallholder maize growers. The data were examined with inferential statistics and the Heckman two-stage sample selection econometric model. Household head age and sex, maize price, household size, farm experience, market distance, access to transportation, frequency of extension contact, land size, amount of credit received, market information, and off-farm income were all found to be significant factors that determine maize farmers’ market participation. Investment in road infrastructure in maize production potential areas and access to market information is mainly needed to increase maize trading.

Economic Efficiency of Onion Production in East Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

In an economy where resources are scarce and opportunities for new technologies are lacking, efficiency studies able to show the possibilities to raise productivity by improving efficiency of farms without increasing the resource base or developing new technology. This study investigated Economic Efficiency of Onion Production in East Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary source of data were used. Semi- structured questionnaires were used to collect data from Lume, Bora and Dugda districts. Totally 94 respondents randomly selected from each districts based on sample size determination. A stochastic production frontier function was fitted to the sample households. Tobit model was applied to determine factors affecting economic efficiency of onion production. The result revealed that the mean Technical, Allocative and Economic efficiency of onion production was about and 67.60%, 98.99% and 66.91% respectively. The tobit model result revealed that Onion Technical and Economic efficiency were positively and significantly affected by Experience in Onion production, frequency of Extension contact and Non- and off income activities while land allocated for Onion production affect Technical and economic efficiency negatively and significantly. District office of Agriculture, stockholders and concerned bodies should focus on extension service regarding of full package of production, provision of technical support and farmers should practice different Non-and Off-fam activities to improve his/her income that contribute to the improvement in efficiency of Onion production in the study area.

Does enset (Ensete Ventricosum) production upshot smallholder farmers food security and income: Evidence from Dedo Woreda, Jimma zone, Ethiopia

Enhancing agricultural production to rural households improves their food security and livelihoods. Accordingly, Enset is the most important traditional staple and co-staple food crop contributing to food security and rural livelihoods for more than 25% of people in Ethiopia . But there is limited knowledge on the impacts of this enset production on rural household food security and annual income in the study area. This study aims at generating location-specific data on the impacts of enset production on household income and food security in Dedo Woreda, south-western Ethiopia. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 319 household heads. Data was collected using the interview schedule, focus group discussion, and key informant interview. Both descriptive and econometric data analysis techniques were used. Household calorie acquisition was used to identify food security status of the households and income of the household was computed from the sum of on-farm income, off/non-farm income and remittance. The result showed that education level, family size, land size, livestock holding, frequency of extension contact, and farming experience of the households influence enset production positively in the study area. The food security status shows that majority of the households were food secure. The propensity score matching result shows that enset production has a positive and significant impact on the household calorie intake and annual income. Increasing enset production and productivity needs to be given special priority in production scaling out programs. Further, to enhance and sustain the positive impact of enset production in the study area it will be good if policymakers and local government focus on encouraging enset production and productivity to improve rural households’ food insecurity. • Enset is one of the perennial crops, which is mainly produced in southern and southwestern parts of Ethiopia. • This study used 319 households responded to the study for data collection. • Descriptive and econometric approaches were used to analyze the acquired data. • Enset production essential for household income and food security. • Policymakers and local governments should concentrate on improving enset production.

Observed time series trend analysis of climate variability and smallholder adoption of new agricultural technologies in west Shewa, Ethiopia

This study was aimed at analyzing time-series trends and variability analysis of observed rainfall and temperature records from 16 stations during the 1985–2015 period. Besides, it focused on the smallholders’ perceptions, including the analysis of their response strategies to both observed and perceived climate variability and its determinants. Both purposive and random sampling procedures were used. Mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) of the research were used. The sample household survey method was used to collect primary data from smallholder farmers, while key informant interviews were used to gather qualitative data from the experts. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, whereas a discussion guide checklist was used to gather qualitative data. A total of 397 respondents and 24 key informants were used as sources of primary data. In addition, visits to the National Meteorology Agency of Ethiopia were made to collect recorded climate data. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze quantitative data, whereas thematic categorization was used to analyze and report qualitative data. The results show that both the summer and annual rainfall have an increasing trend but are not statistically significant. With regards to variability, low to moderate levels of variability were recorded according to the seasons and annual rainfall. The result of the Mann-Kendall test shows that the mean minimum temperature was raised by 0.05 °C while the maximum temperature rose by 0.03 °C/30 years. The monthly maximum temperature also shows an increasing trend, with the lowest record during August (22.05 °C) and the highest in March (26.49 °C. Besides, smallholder farmers’ perceptions were in accordance with recorded station data. In response to both observed and perceived climate variability and its extremes, smallholder farmers in the study area were striving to adopt different adaptation strategies. Rain variability, frequency of extension contact, years of farming experience, access to institutions and infrastructure, wealth status, market access, and the number of active labor force within the household all hampered smallholder farmers' efforts to implement potential measures. In contrast, the high prices of chemicals and improved seed, access to credit services, land size, and limited access to accurate and timely early warning information all negatively and significantly influenced the adaptation decisions of smallholder farmers in the area. Therefore, the impacts of abnormal trends or shifts in observed rainfall and temperature patterns, along with socio-economic, technological, and behavioral factors, call for policymakers to set strategies that will enable smallholders to improve their livelihoods, ensure food security, and build resilience in the face of climatic extremes.

Are smallholder farmers benefiting from malt barley contract farming engagement in Ethiopia?

BackgroundIt is believed that in Ethiopia barley has been cultivated before 3000BC. Among the cereals, it is ranked in fifth place and the most important crop next to teff, sorghum, and wheat in the country. Different works of literature highlight that engagement in contract farming is one of the innovations promoted to tackle technology constraints of the smallholder farmers, as a possible solution to raising productivity and linking smallholders in the emerging modern marketing chains. Associated with the rapid rate of urbanization in the country, there is a high demand for malt barley which is resulting high expansion of beer factories. Consequently, in the study area, many farmers got into a contract agreement with Assela malt barley factories. Recent studies conducted on malt barley in Ethiopia gave much emphasis to the value chain aspect of malt barley. Therefore, the main motive behind this study was to fill the empirical literature gap in the field by giving much emphasis on the impact assessment of malt barley contract arrangement on income and food items dietary diversity of the respondent households.MethodologyTo attain the study objectives, both primary and secondary data were collected and used. Randomly selected 312 households comprising 127 households engaged in malt barley contract farming arrangements and 185 non-contract households were the source of primary data for this study. Secondary data were collected from a review of different works of literature. Both descriptive and econometric models were used to analyze the primary data using Stata software version 14. The propensity score matching model was applied to examine the impact of malt barley contract farming engagement on the income and dietary diversity of the respondents.ResultIt was found that family size, credit use, livestock holding, malt barley production experience, frequency of extension contact, and land allotted for malt barley production positively determine the probability of participation in malt barley contract farming arrangement. Contrary to this, distance to the malt barley collection centers negatively determine the probability of participation in malt barley contract farming. The ATT estimation of the PSM indicated that participation in malt barley contract farming has a positive impact on the income and dietary diversity of the respondent households.ConclusionParticipation in contract farming had a positive and significant impact on the annual income and dietary diversity of the smallholder households. The sensitivity analysis result showed that the impact results estimated by this study are insensitive to unobserved selection bias and the result obtained shows the true impact of contract farming on the income of the households. Therefore, concerned bodies working on malt barley production aspects as a development intervention should work to encourage non-contract farmers to engage in this activity.

Value chain analysis of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek thrive) in Kalu Woreda, Ethiopia

BackgroundMung bean is an important pulse legume multipurpose crop that has significant health and economic benefits. It plays an important role in climate resilience and increasing food security. We conducted the study in Kalu Woreda Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia, where the crop is highly adopted. The study aimed to analyse and evaluate the local value chain of the crop. Though Mung bean is a market oriented crop and playing an important role in food and nutrition security; there is a lack of clear evidence that shows how the local value chain of the crop is performing. Therefore, empirical evidence on the Mung bean value chain is required to design interventions to enhance the value chain actors’ performance.MethodsA mixed approach was used to collect and analyse the data and to have a complete picture of the research. We collected data from producers, collectors, wholesalers, retailers, and exporters through household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics and econometric model were used to analyse the quantitative data. We analysed qualitative data using narration, summarization, and theme formation.Results and conclusionThe average allocated land for Mung bean per household was 0.32 ha with a standard deviation of 0.15 ha. Mung bean value chain actors include input suppliers, producers, collectors, retailers, wholesalers, exporter and consumers. The highest percentage of the profit share goes to exporters (25.04%), followed by wholesalers (21.61%). Traditional farming practices, small landholding, poor access to agricultural inputs, pests and disease, poor infrastructure, and price fluctuations were the major Mung bean production and marketing challenges. Sex 0.166 (P = 0.008), the volume of Mung bean produced 0.26 (0.0001), farming experience 0.028 (0.048), frequency of extension contact 0.01 (0.072) and land allocated for Mung bean 3.411 (0.0001) were significantly determining the amount of Mung bean supplied to the market. Supporting farmers with agricultural inputs and delivering training on post-harvest issue, experience sharing among producers, and linking producers to cooperatives looks important to develop Mung bean local value chain. Strengthening multi-stakeholder linkages among Mung bean value chain actors through field days and workshops is also imperative in smoothing the local and international marketability of the crop.

Examining drivers of technical, allocative and economic efficiencies in cocoa farming: empirical evidence from Ghana.

In Ghana, cocoa production is a major economic activity among rural farmers. Its production contributes significantly to the GDP and further, livelihood security enhancement among rural folks. However, recent development has unveiled a situation of persistent low farm-level productivity among cocoa farmers which threatens their livelihood security. In view of this, we estimated the economic, technical, and allocative efficiencies among cocoa farmers and their determinants to help proffer relevant policy strategies to arrest the situation of low farm-level productivity. Using a multistage sampling procedure, we collected data from 750 cocoa farmers across the cocoa-growing regions of Ghana. To estimate the farm-level efficiency scores, we employed the stochastic frontier analysis and our results show that cocoa farmers generally exhibited significant levels of technical, allocative, and economic inefficiencies. We estimated the average technical, allocative, and economic efficiencies scores among the cocoa farmers to be 67%, 69%, and 51% respectively. The analysis of the determinants of technical, allocative, and economic inefficiencies revealed that farmer and farm-specific variables such as sex, household size, educational level, years of farming experience, frequency of extension contact, quality of extension received, use of climate smart adaptation technologies, farm size, farm labour and access to credit facilities significantly explain cocoa farm level efficiencies. Accordingly, we recommend that extension service providers and COCOBOD develop strategies to improve upon the quality of extension service delivery as well as incorporate the promotion and adoption of climate smart adaptation technologies into its productivity enhancement programmes for farmers.

“Determinants of rural household saving participation: A case study of Libokemkem District, North-west Ethiopia”

Saving is an important factor in households’ welfare in developing countries. However, most studies have focused on urban areas and at the macroeconomic level. Consequently, such studies mask the reality of rural households, which constitute a large proportion in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aims at analyzing the factors that influence the probability of saving participation at the household level in the Libokemkem District. We employed a systematic random sampling technique to select a total of 157 household heads in three kebeles in Libokemkem District, Ethiopia. We used structured questionnaires to collect data from the sampled households. We then analyzed the data using a logistic regression model. The results of the study show that family size, farm land, education status, credit access and frequency of extension contact are the determinant factors for saving participation among rural households. We recommend that the Ethiopian Ministry of Economic and Finance should strengthen the existing credit services and create awareness campaigns for the communities to enhance rural saving participation.

Analyzing Potato Market Participation, Market Surplus, and Market Outlet Choice on Small Farm Household Level in Lemo District, Southern Ethiopia

This study was aimed to analyze potato market participation, market surplus, and market outlet choice in Lemo District of southern Ethiopia. To achieve the objective, primary and secondary data sources were employed and 202 potato producers were selected following simple random sampling techniques. The collected data were analyzed by using Heckman second-stage and multivariate probit models to identify factors that determine potato market participation decision and potato farmer market outlet choice, respectively. The Heckman’s first-stage (probit) result indicates that education level, sex, membership in the cooperative, distance to the nearest market, remittent from family members, own transportation facilities, seed types, frequency of extension contact, lagged market price, and amount of credit that farm household used for potato production significantly ( P &lt; ) determined producers’ participation in potato market. Heckman second-stage (OLS) result showed that education level, cooperative membership, family size, total cropland size, oxen owned, types of seed, and lagged market price were significantly ( P &lt; ) determined potato marketed surplus. Multivariate probit results showed the probability to choose wholesalers ( P &lt; ), retailers ( P &lt; ), collectors ( P &lt; ), and consumers ( P &lt; ) market outlets who were significantly affected by age, educational levels, sex, farm experiences, distance to near market, family size, remittance, land size, product supplied to the market, own transport facility, and extension service. Therefore, we recommend that the government and concerned stakeholders should focus on promoting improved potato seed, encouraging education, promoting farmers’ cooperatives, empowering females, strengthening rural-urban infrastructure, and protecting informal labor trading.

Loan Repayment Performance of Smallholder Farmers: The Case of Oromia Credit and Savings Share Company in Tole District of Southwest Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The aims this study is to identify those factors that affect loan repayment performances of smallholder farmer in Tole district of Southwest Shoa zone, Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. In order to address the stated objective data were collected through survey of 174 sample borrower farmer. To identify and analysis factors affecting loan repayment performances and intensity of loan recovery in the district two-limit Tobit model were used. From the total sample borrower farmer, 9.2%, 20.7% and 70.1% were complete defaulters, partial defaulters and non-defaulters respectively. A total of 17 explanatory variables were included in the analysis from which family expenditure and repayment period suitability affect loan repayment performance and intensity of loan recovery of the sample borrower farmer significantly and negatively. On the other hand, size of land holding, income from on-farm activities, income from off-farm activities, household saving and frequency of extension contact had a significantly and positively affect loan repayment performance and intensity of loan recovery of sampled smallholder farmer in the study area. Therefore, each concerned body aimed to improve loan repayment performances of smallholder farmer in the study area could be successful if they consider these factors. Keywords: Ethiopia, Loan, Non-defaulter, Tobit DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-13-04 Publication date: July 31 st 2022

Marketable supply of honey: evidence from farmers households in Ethiopia

Identifying determinants of honey market supply in smallholder producers were the objective of the study. Both primary and secondary data were collected. A total of 150 honey producer households were selected randomly from honey producer households and data were collected by individual interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and a focus group discussion. Secondary data were collected from published and unpublished sources. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models. The model result revealed that beekeeping experience, training participation, colony number, frequency of extension contact and types of beehive owned significantly affect the volume of the honey marketed. The study highlights the importance of providing training, arranging field days and creating a forum for experience sharing, providing of a modern hive and giving good extension services.

ASSESSMENT OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

Climate change by providing anopportunity for reducing of climatic hazards by targeting with multiple objectives.The objective of this study is to investigatemanagement practices on climate change adaptation and its roleon soil and water conservation practices.The study was conducted in one rural Kebeles of lemoWoreda, Hadiya zone. Out of the 30 respondents, the majority of the respondents were adapted to soil and water conservation practiceson climate change; while few of them were not adapted the climate change on soil and water conservation practices. This study revealed that identified that the majority of the respondents were able to adopt the soil and water conservation practices. The response of the informants indicates that the adaptation measures of climate change insoil and water conservation practices contribute to agricultural productivity. The result from the binary logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis indicates that educational level, sex, farming experiences, income, frequency of extension contact, market distance, access to information on climate, agro-ecology, farm size, age, adoption of terrace, adoption of stone bund, adoption of stone faced soil bund, adoption of livestock have a significant effect on practicing of climate change in soil and water conservation structures and an agricultural productivity.

The Impact of Adopting Improved Wheat Technology on the Productivity and Income of Households in Misha District, Southern Ethiopia

Wheat rust disease is a major constraint of wheat production in Ethiopia. Thus, this study is carried out to examine the impact of rust resistant wheat varieties on the productivity and income of households in Misha district in Southern Ethiopia. Using a household survey, cross-sectional data were collected from 387 randomly selected households. Descriptive statics and propensity score matching methods were used for data analysis to achieve the objectives of the study. Propensity score matching method was used to measure the impact of adopting rust-resistant improved wheat varieties on productivity and income of households. The study has found that age and education level of household head, land size, livestock holding, frequency of extension contact, and access to credit services were factors that significantly affected adoption of rust-resistant improved wheat varieties. Using the propensity score matching method, the study found that the adoption of rust-resistant improved wheat had a positive impact on average wheat productivity and income of households. Moreover, the results were insensitive to unobserved heterogeneity bias. This indicates that adoption of the technology has a positive contribution to households' wellbeing. Therefore, government and concerned bodies should better give due attention to the development, dissemination, and scaling up of rust-resistant improved wheat varieties. Keywords: Adoption, Impact, Propensity Score Matching, Wheat. DOI: 10.7176/DCS/12-6-03 Publication date: June 30 th 2022