JEFMS Journal

ABSTRACT:

The study determined the level and factors that influence adoption of improved wheat variety adoption among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. The study used household level cross sectional data collected during 2015/16 cropping season. The survey involved 1611 smallholder farmers drawn by random selection from thirteen agro-ecologies in four regions in the country. The four regions represent 99.3% of the wheat growing areas, 99.6% of the wheat producer and 99.4% of the wheat production in the country. In the analyses, descriptive statistics and a Probit regression model were employed. A descriptive analysis shows that, 83.7% of the sample households were adopters and have grown at least one improved wheat variety during the production season. The econometric analyses of improved wheat variety adoption behavior of smallholder farmers revealed that Tropical livestock unit (TLU), received training, education level of the HHH and awareness on improved varieties positively and significantly related with the adoption of using improved varieties. While, Experience of growing Wheat and Land holding size improved adoption of improved wheat varieties suggesting credit would be crucial for enhancing adoption of using improved wheat varieties. Hence, strategies to enhance adoption of use of improved wheat varieties need to focus on factors that showed higher marginal effects.

KEYWORDS:

Adoption, improved variety, wheat Ethiopia

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