Improved Maize Varieties Research Articles

An Evaluation of Stakeholder Involvement in the Development of Communication Plans Used in the Diffusion of Improved Maize Varieties among Farmers in the Semi-Arid Lower Eastern Kenya

An Evaluation of Stakeholder Involvement in the Development of Communication Plans Used in the Diffusion of Improved Maize Varieties among Farmers in the Semi-Arid Lower Eastern Kenya

Understanding Ethiopia’s maize innovation system: Application of integrated innovation system and sustainability transition perspectives

Agricultural innovation is a top priority on the global sustainable development agenda to solve food insecurity, land degradation, climate-change issues, poverty, and unemployment. This paper aims to identify systemic problems and socio-technical transition factors that hinder the development, dissemination, and utilization of improved maize varieties in Ethiopia. Primary data were gathered through structured and semi-structured interview schedules, and then analyzed thematically. Results show that systemic failures such as the absence of key actors, institutional problems, lack of interaction between actors, and inadequate infrastructure are the major hindrances to the systems functioning. Three functions, including entrepreneurship, knowledge development, and creating legitimacy, were found to be weaker than others in the case of improved maize varieties released by Pioneer Hi-Bred Seeds Ethiopia Plc. However, these functions were stronger in the case of improved maize seed varieties released by public research centres. Knowledge dissemination and resource mobilization were the stronger functions of Pioneer Hi-Bred Seeds Ethiopia Plc., which were found to be weak in the public research centres. The result also shows that policies and governance affected the sustainable development of improved maize varieties released by Pioneer Hi-Bred Seeds Ethiopia Plc. Promoting knowledge development and resource mobilization within networks of policymakers, the public sector, and local and foreign private sectors, and a regulation on breeders’ rights to encourage the involvement of private companies in the sector are recommended to enable the innovation system to function sustainably.

Determination of Adoption Traits and Key Production Constraints of Improved Maize Varieties Using Participatory Research Appraisal

Introduction: Maize is a staple crop critical to the food security and livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the availability of improved maize varieties, adoption rates among farmers remain suboptimal. Understanding the traits that drive adoption and identifying key production constraints is essential for the development and dissemination of varieties that meet farmers' needs. Aims: This study aimed to identifying the most valued traits of improved maize varieties from the farmers' perspective, assessing the socio-economic and biophysical factors influencing the adoption of these varieties and identifying the main production constraints faced by farmers in different agro-ecological zones. Study Design: The study was conducted in three regions representing diverse agro-ecological zones. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of maize farmers. Data collection involved focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and household surveys. PRA tools such as pairwise ranking and matrix scoring were employed to capture qualitative and quantitative data on adoption traits and production constraints. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place at Ejura Sekyeredumasi, Nkoranza South District and Wenchi Municipal district, between June 2017 and December 2017. Methodology: Descriptive statistics were used analyzed the demographic characteristics of maize farmers as well as socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of improved maize farming technology using SPSS 16 version. Data collected included; socio-demographic characteristics, adoption of improved maize varieties and constraints to maize production. Results: The results showed that about 78 % and 18 % of farmer respondents perceived that both fertilizers and improved seed were too expensive. Other constraints to maize production were drought, high cost of other agro-inputs, lack of improved cultivars and poor soil fertility significantly influenced the adoption of improved maize farming technologies in the area Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of incorporating farmers' preferences and addressing context-specific production constraints in maize breeding programs. Enhanced extension services, improved seed distribution systems, and tailored agronomic practices are recommended to increase adoption rates and improve productivity. Participatory approaches in agricultural research are vital for aligning breeding objectives with the real-world needs of smallholder farmers, ensuring the relevance and impact of improved maize varieties in the Ghana.

Agro-technology for climate-smart agriculture and resilience to climate extremes in sub-Saharan Africa

Agro-technologies such as irrigation and new crop varieties can reduce climate risk for agricultural production in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). SSA has the highest maize yield gaps globally, despite its importance as a staple crop in the region. Reducing maize yield gaps is key to tackling food insecurity; however, closing yield gaps might imply an increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emission cost. Climate smart agriculture (CSA) seeks to minimise this cost whilst maximising productivity and resilience. One key element of CSA is resilience to extreme events, although this is rarely examined. Accordingly, we assess the climate smartness of contrasting agro-technology and climate scenarios to assess both resilience to extremes and the overall climate smartness of the scenarios. We use simulations from an existing integrated modelling framework for Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia, centred on 2050. Four scenarios were examined, defined by combinations of high vs. low agro-technology adoption and high vs. low climate risk (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5). We calculated a climate smartness index (CSI) to the model outputs that quantify the trade-offs between greenhouse gas emissions and agricultural productivity. CSI scores showed that the increase in GHG emissions from improved agro-technology is compensated for the yield benefits. Agro-technology in SSA can therefore benefit the pillars of climate-smart agriculture, namely increased mitigation, adaptation, and productivity. Further, we show that improved maize varieties and irrigation can substantially reduce future yield shocks and enhance resilience to climate change extremes in SSA, pointing to best-bets for agro-technology adoption. Irrigation reduces mid-century yield shocks by 64% (RCP2.6) or 42% (RCP8.5). When combined with improved maize varieties, irrigation removes the majority of yield shocks (90%) in RCP8.5. We therefore conclude that: (i) irrigation has significant potential to increase resilience in SSA; and (ii) investment in strategies to improve crop varieties is critical if the benefits or irrigation are to be fully realized under an RCP8.5 future.

Complementary technology adoption and smallholder commercialization: Panel data evidence from Ethiopia

AbstractAgricultural transformation involves the transition from subsistence agriculture marked by cultivating crops for auto‐consumption to cultivating crops for output markets. This transition from subsistence agriculture to market‐oriented agriculture can be a key policy boost to economic development, but evidence on the key entry points to increasing smallholder commercialization remains scarce. We examine the relationship between the adoption of improved maize varieties (IMVs), inorganic fertilizers, and smallholder commercialization. We model commercialization as a two‐step decision process involving market participation and the extent of participation (sales quantity) conditional on participation. Given these two related steps, we estimate a double‐hurdle model in both linear and non‐linear forms. Employing a three‐wave panel dataset from Ethiopia, we use the household fixed effects and correlated random effects model with the control function approach. We find the adoption of IMVs to be significantly associated with both market participation and the extent of participation. This relationship is also true for fertilizers, where we show a positive association between fertilizer use and commercialization. Given the seeming complementarity in the use of both IMVs and fertilizers, we further estimate their joint adoption. We use the multinomial endogenous switching regression model where we show greater commercialization gains under joint adoption. These findings are in line with a growing literature supporting the bundling of agricultural technologies. Given these insights, we provide empirical and policy support to the scaling of agricultural technologies as they have the potential to induce agricultural transformation by unlocking market opportunities.

Digital technology in maize nutrient management research in northern Nigeria amid COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a life threatening and spreads wildly with physical human contact. Physical distancing is recommended by health experts to prevent the spread; thus, agronomic research has to be designed in conformity to this preventive standard during the pandemic. Consequently, this study was designed to evaluate the reliability of using digital tools in nutrient management research amid the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Nigeria. Fifty extension agents (EAs) were selected across 15 LGAs of Kaduna and Kano states. The EAs were trained on how to generate fertilizer recommendation using an android mobile phone-based nutrient expert (NE), to measure farmers’ field sizes using UTM Area measure mobile phone app, and open data kit to record, submit and aggregate data during the exercise. Each EA covered 50 farms, where two nutrient management practices—one determined by the farmers: farmer fertilizer practice (FFP), and the other generated using the NE were evaluated. Results show that around 90% of the farmers have an average field size of 1.13 ha. All selected farmers used improved maize varieties for planting, among which 21% been able to use the exact recommended or lower seed rate. Use of inorganic fertilizer was 33% higher than the average recommended NE rate, while average yield of the NE fields was 48% higher than for the FFP. The results of this study indicate that yield can be improved with site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) extension approach. The SSNM using digital tools as the NE seem promising and befits to agronomic research in northern Nigeria amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Affected, Dispersal, Impacts and Evaluation of Resistance Reaction of maize streak virus. A Mini Review

Maize streak virus (MSV) has deleterious effects on maize production in tropical and sub-tropical Africa. The disease is transmitted persistently by several species of leafhoppers, Cicadulin spp. (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Therefore, it is prudent to mitigate the control of MSV is most effective when cultural and chemical methods are integrated with plant breeding for resistance. While host plant resistance is the best method of MSV management, it is not usually easy to conventionally produce resistant cultivars. This paper reviews the distribution, host/species affected, dispersal, impact and information evaluation of improved maize varieties. This review aims to address successful breeding strategies regarding maize streak virus resistance. Resistant cultivars are important to control maize streak virus since they do not present additional costs for the farmer, do not harm the environment and reduce costs of seed production.

Improved Maize Varieties: Enhancing Food Security in Rural Communities of Central River Region North

Maize production is widely grown by smallholder farmers in rural communities of the Gambia. Maize is an important component of food systems as it provides nutritional security, and income and reduces poverty at the household level. Primary and secondary data were collected to have a broader knowledge of maize varieties. The sample and sampling method was non-probability using the random sampling method. A sample size of twenty (20) farmers was randomly selected from a population of 117 from 5 agricultural districts of the Central River Region/ North. The objective of the study is to bridge the yield gap of 1.0 to 1.3 tons/ ha to > 5 tons/ ha of maize. The result in Table 1 shows that, out of the 4 varieties Kabamano obtained the highest yield data of 6,560 kg/ha followed by Obatamba at 5,440kg/ha while the lowest yield was obtained by early Thai at 3,200kg/ha. The production area was 113 ha with a total production of 340,800kg with an average yield of 3 tons/ha. The implication of the study is to ensure a comprehensive agricultural policy and strategies for better production and marketing of maize. The study recommends that the government, agricultural projects, the private sector, and CSOs create incentives, innovations, and agricultural financing for the coherent sustainability of maize production and marketing.

The milpa agroecosystem: A case study in Puebla, Mexico

In the Totonacapan region of northeastern Puebla, Mexico, two maize production systems are prevalent: the milpa and the maize field (maizal). The milpa system is an emblematic agroecosystem which focuses on traditional food production for self-consumption, utilising crop and land rotation to contribute to its sustainability and coexistence with native ecosystems. Adopted for commercial purposes, the maize field is the result of the government’s modernisation of traditional agriculture. The article examines why the milpa system persists over the maize field in the same cultural and environmental space, exploring the benefits and costs of both systems. The milpa system involves the cultivation of maize along with other crops and perennial woody species. It supports food security, diversifies the diet, and generates income from surplus products. Fruit trees and woody perennials in the milpa strengthen soil fertility, control weeds, provide firewood, and serve as stakes or supports for beans and as retaining walls or windbreaks. The system also incorporates useful plants like nopal and maguey for multiple purposes, including food and medicine. In contrast, the maize field system is characterised by commercial maize production and the use of improved maize varieties. While it generates income, it lacks the diversity and sustainability of the milpa system. Farmers recognise the cultural value of native maize and the environmental benefits of the milpa system but find it challenging to transition back due to soil degradation and labour-intensive practices. The milpa agroforestry system ultimately persists thanks to its provision of traditional foods, economic benefits, and environmental advantages, unlike the maize field system which faces challenges related to monocropping and loss of cultural heritage.

Intercropping Maize with Faba Bean Improves Yield, Income, and Soil Fertility in Semiarid Environment.

Continuous adoption of improved maize varieties in the last three decades has changed farm landscapes from heterogeneity to maize homogeneity in semiarid areas of Ethiopia. This has substantially decreased maize productivity. Recently, farmers have integrated faba bean into maize-based farming systems aimed at increasing productivity. Yet, there is limited information on the effects of maize-faba bean intercropping on productivity and land-use efficiency. We studied the effects of maize intercrops with two faba bean varieties (Gora and Moti) at three different densities (25, 50, and 75%) of the recommended sole faba bean (250,000 plants ha-1) on yield, economic return, and some soil fertility indicators in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used for the experiment. The intercrops revealed that a significantly higher total grain yield, economic revenue, and land equivalent ratio (LER) over the sole cropping. Intercrops also showed higher soil organic carbon and total nitrogen compared to the preplanting soil and sole maize. Maize intercropped with the Gora faba bean variety at a density of 50% increased the total grain yields, economic return, and LER, respectively, by 13, 42, and 38% over the sole maize. The intercrop also increased soil total N by 55 and 22% compared to the preplanting soil and sole maize, respectively. Intercropping maize with faba bean significantly improved crop yield, income, land-use productivity, and some soil fertility indicators than either the sole maize or faba bean crop in the semiarid region of northern Ethiopia.

Assessing the Potential of Extra-Early Maturing Multiple Stress-tolerant Maize Hybrids Under Different Rates of Nitrogen

Decline in soil fertility is a major constraint to maize production. This study aimed to assess the agronomic performance of improved maize varieties under different nitrogen rates to identify low nitrogen tolerant varieties. Five multiple stress-tolerant maize hybrids, developed by maize improvement program of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and an open-pollinated variety used as check were evaluated under three levels nitrogen at two locations during 2019 growing season. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot experiment with three replications at each location. Nitrogen rates and varieties were the main and secondary factors, respectively. Data collected on grain yield and its related traits and were subjected to analysis of variance at 5% level of significance. The average grain yield of the six varieties under different nitrogen levels ranged from 2.2 t/ha at 0 kgN/ha in Angaradébou to 5.3 t/ha at 76 kgN/ha in Komkoma. Hybrid TZEEQI 342 × TZEEQI 7 showed high grain yield (4.0 t/ha) across the two agro-ecologies while varieties TZEE-W Pop STR QPM Co × TZEEQI 7 (3.7 t/ha) and TZdEEI 91 × TZEEI 21 (3.6 t/ha) had comparable grain yield. These hybrids were also less susceptible to nitrogen stress. They are the promising genotypes for Angaradébou localities while farmers around Komkoma should continue to cultivate TZEE-W Pop DT STR QPM.

Impact of Microdosing Practices on Technical Efficiency: An Analysis Accounting for Selection Bias Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Burkina Faso

Smallholder maize farmers are currently confronted with the arduous challenge of managing limited financial resources while incessantly facing the issue of land degradation. To address this issue, an alternative solution has been implemented to optimize the use of chemical fertilizer by adopting microdosing. This innovative system not only helps them enhance their agricultural productivity but also allows them to protect the environment. However, it is unclear how microdosing adoption could increase the technical efficiency (TE) of maize production. Therefore, this research aims to assess how the adoption of microdosing affects the technical efficiency of maize production as well as identify the key factors that influence the technical efficiency of maize production in Burkina Faso. To achieve this goal, farm household survey data was conducted with 210 randomly selected farmers from the Plateau Central and northern regions of Burkina Faso. To account for potential selection biases that could result from both observable and unobservable factors, we used a sample selection stochastic production frontier model and a propensity score matching approach. A stochastic meta-frontier approach was applied to estimate TE differences and the technology gap between adopters and non-adopters. The findings showed that adopters of microdosing have an average efficiency of 68 percent, which is higher than the 53 percent estimated for non-adopters. Adopters of microdosing have been found to have high TE and better agricultural technology than non-adopters. The meta-frontier estimation revealed that the adoption of improved maize varieties would yield better returns. This study contributes significantly to the literature on how fertilizer microdosing affects maize productivity, as well as the policy implications of targeting and encouraging smallholder maize farmers in Burkina Faso to optimize the use of productive inputs and improve maize output by using microdosing.

Effect of Socio-economic Factors on Level of use of Improved Maize Varieties in Bungoma County, Kenya

Maize is Kenya’s primary staple food, where 75% of producers are smallholder farmers. Maize consumption exceeds production with imports bridging the gap. Improved maize varieties have been adopted by smallholder farmers but the deficit gap still exists. The study’s objective was to determine factors influencing the adoption intensity of improved maize varieties in Bungoma County. Primary data was collected from 500 smallholder farmers using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 27 software and a fractional logit model applied. Factors influencing adoption intensity of improved maize varieties were personal characteristics of the farmer (age, and household size), institutional factors (extension service) and varietal factors (early maturity, pest and disease resistance, drought resistance). Age, household size and extension services reduced the intensity of adoption, while varietal factors increased the intensity of adoption of improved maize varieties. The recommendations from the study is that even if the extension agents discouraged increased acreage under maize, they need to address and manage risk aversion among the old farmers through providing information and support groups. Counties should nurture a strong research-inkage with researchers to demonstrate demonstrate technology benefits.

Nourishing the farms, nourishing the plates: Association of climate‐smart agricultural practices with household dietary diversity and food security in smallholders

AbstractClimate‐smart agricultural (CSA) practices are increasingly being promoted as nature‐based solutions to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farm households amid a sharp increase in climate‐change anomalies. However, the extent to which CSA practices contribute to smallholder food security and dietary diversity remains unclear. In this study, we use panel and nationally representative data from Tanzania to examine the association between two climate‐smart agricultural practices, namely, improved maize varieties and maize‐legume intercropping, and food security in smallholder farm households. We use maize yield per acre, adult‐equivalent food expenditure, and household dietary diversity scores to measure household food security, representing three of the four food security pillars: availability, access, and utilization. We also examine the complementarity and potential advantages of combining improved maize seeds with fertilizers. Using standard panel data estimation approaches, we find a positive association between the adoption of improved maize varieties and maize‐legume intercropping and an increase in food production measured through higher crop productivity. However, we do not find a corresponding improvement in household dietary diversity or increased food expenditure, despite the higher crop production. Several factors might explain this outcome, including the challenges faced by farmers in accessing markets to sell surplus produce, the influence of established dietary habits, gender issues, and other local factors that promote the consumption of cereal‐based foods such as maize. Our findings suggest that CSA practices may help improve food production and availability, but more effort is needed to translate increased food production into improved dietary diversity and better food security among smallholder farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa. [EconLit Citations: C23, D12, D13, D24, Q12, Q16, Q18, Q54].

The farmer and the fates: Locus of control and investment in rainfed agriculture

AbstractVulnerable households, often the target for efforts to increase resilience, likely hold beliefs about their ability to control outcomes that make them less likely to invest in new technologies. Locus of control provides one way to elicit these beliefs and can help identify populations requiring additional support prior to widespread adoption of new technologies. This paper presents evidence from a large sample of maize‐producing households in Mozambique and Tanzania. A more external locus of control is strongly associated with lower expected returns to improved maize varieties and a reduced probability of their adoption.

Sustainable Maize Crop Production in Owena Basin, Nigeria

To improve maize production, efforts must be doubled to expand the current extent of land suitability profiling. Lingering questions hinged on whether maize is presently grown on land that supports its optimal growth and if farmers’ knowledge of their farmland suitability informs their decision to cultivate improved maize varieties. However, attaining the level of food self-subsistence largely requires optimum land use and the adoption of innovative advancement to double farmers' yields. Unfortunately, land suitability profiling and farmers’ cultivation of Improved Maize Varieties (IMV) still require more attention in the scheme of initiatives to revitalize agriculture. Previous research addressed other crops rather than maize staples and assessed areas exclusive of the current study area. This paper used Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Multicriteria Analysis (MCA) to map out land areas suitable for maize cultivation and further used frequency, counts, and parametric estimator to data from 466 maize farmers to profile farmers who cultivated IMV, examine the effect of cultivating IMV and its determinants. Results showed the suitability of AHP for land evaluation, revealing the highly, moderately, marginally, and least suitable areas of land for maize cultivation occupying 5.09%, 56.53%, 37.47%, and 0.89% of the total land. The result also divulges the dominance of old respondents where the age of farmers who did not cultivate IMV ranged between 50 and 61 years while the age of respondents who cultivated IMV ranged between 52 and 72 years. A small-scale production pattern was observed as the area of land under cultivation varied between 1.9 and 2.67 acres for respondents who grew IMV and those who did not. The Potential Outcome mean (POmean) estimation for respondents who did not grow IMV was 8127.70kg and 11695.8 kg for respondents who cultivated IMV, and the size of land cultivated and access to extension services significantly (at P>|z|=0.000) contributed to the likelihood of farmers growing IMV. The study highlights the importance of harnessing the comparative advantage of land by cultivating the crop it best supports suggesting the need to embrace IMV cultivation and practices including but not limited to the cultivation of legumes to help maintain the soil integrity and further advocate for improved communication between farmers and agricultural services developers.

ASSESSMENT ON ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MAIZE VARIETY AND MAIZE PRODUCTION PRACTICES IN BAITADI, NEPAL

The main objective of this study is to assess the status of adoption of improved maize varieties and cultivation practices of maize in Baitadi district. This study aims to identify the determinants of adoption of improved maize variety (IMV) among farmers and their cultivation practices in Baitadi district and subsequently ascertain the factors influencing the intensity of IMV adoption. The study areas; Dashrathchand-2, Dashrathchand-9, Patan-4 and Pancheshor-6 were selected purposively as these were under the command area of maize zone. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent samples t-test, probit model and index score ranking method were used for the data analysis. The productivity of local variety was found 2mt/ha and improved variety was 3.51mt/ha. Majority of farmer preferred to cultivate local and improved variety with Manakamana being the most adopted improved variety. Membership of agricultural groups and training related to maize cultivation were the major determinants of improved variety adoption. Unavailability of seed in vicinity followed by higher cost of seed were the major constraints faced by the farmers in adopting improved maize variety. Distant market and gap between fragment and retail price are the major marketing problem faced by the farmers. Thus, the study concluded that improving farmers’ education, expanding coverage and depth of extension services and firming up farmer associations are suitable policy actions for promoting adoption of improved maize varieties. It is also important to address availability, accessibility and affordability issues constraining adoption of improved varieties and technologies, enhance credit access for farmers and mitigate risk perceptions.

Factors Affecting Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties in Babile and Fedis Districts of East Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Factors Affecting Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties in Babile and Fedis Districts of East Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Time series and power law analysis of crop yield in some east African countries.

We carry out a time series analysis on the yearly crop yield data in six east African countries (Burundi, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda) using the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model. We describe the upper tail of the yearly crop yield data in those countries using the power law, lognormal, Fréchet and stretched exponential distributions. The forecast of the fitted ARIMA models suggests that the majority of the crops in different countries will experience neither an increase nor a decrease in yield from 2019 to 2028. A few exceptional cases correspond to significant increase in the yield of sorghum and coffee in Burundi and Rwanda, respectively, and significant decrease in the yield of beans in Burundi, Kenya and Rwanda. Based on Vuong's similarity test p-value, we find that the power law distribution captured the upper tails of yield distribution better than other distributions with just one exceptional case in Uganda, suggesting that these crops have the tendency for producing high yield. We find that only sugar cane in Somalia and sweet potato in Tanzania have the potential of producing extremely high yield. We describe the yield behaviour of these two crops as black swan, where the "rich getting richer" or the "preferential attachment" could be the underlying generating process. Other crops in Burundi, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda can only produce high but not extremely high yields. Various climate adaptation/smart strategies (use of short-duration pigeon pea varieties, use of cassava mosaic disease resistant cassava varieties, use of improved maize varieties, intensive manuring with a combination of green and poultry manure, early planting, etc) that could be adapted to increase yields in east Africa are suggested. The paper could be useful for future agricultural planning and rates calibration in crop risk insurance.

Welfare impact of improved maize varieties adoption among smallholder farmers in Amuru district of Horo Guduru Wollega, Ethiopia

Government policy strategies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), are aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, which could contribute to improve household welfare. Hence, understanding smallholder farmers’ low and variable crop yields has been a central research and policy priority in addressing food security. Likewise, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of adopting improved maize varieties on productivity and food insecurity in Amuru district of Horo Guduru Wollega, Ethiopia. The study utilized cross-sectional household data collected in 2020/2021 from 263 randomly selected sample households. The probit model’s findings indicate that factors that positively influenced households’ adoption of the improved maize varieties included the household head’s education level, the amount of livestock owned, access to credit, access to training, farm size, access to extension agents, and access to information from farmers associations, while factors that negatively influenced adoption included family size and market distance. The endogenous treatment effect model’s findings also showed that IMV adoptions considerably improve smallholder farmers’ welfare by lowering food insecurity and raising their average calorie intake and net crop values. Thus, it is advised that governments and other interested institutions should promote the adoption of improved maize varieties on a larger scale in order to boost maize yield and lower rural household food insecurity.