Determinants of High Yielding Wheat Varieties Adoption by Small-Holder Farmers: Evidence from Ethiopia

Abstract

Adoption of high yielding wheat varieties is one of the measures presumed to enhance wheat yield in Ethiopia. However, there are several socioeconomic and institutional factors that limit the adoption of high yielding wheat varieties. The main objective of this study was to identify factors affecting adoption of high yielding wheat varieties in Mao-Komo district of Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data collected from sample of 174 farm households selected through two-stage stratified random sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Probit model was employed for adoption analyze of high yielding wheat varieties. The probit model result depicted that land holding size, tropical livestock unit, access to agricultural information, frequency of extension contacts, off-farm income, and perception of farmers toward attributes of high yielding wheat varieties affected the likelihood of adoption of high yielding wheat varieties positively and significantly. But, sex of household heads, and affiliation to organizations had negative and significant effect on the likelihood of adoption of high yielding wheat varieties. The findings suggest that the government and stakeholders should need to focus on improving farm land and livestock productivity, strengthening frequency of extension visits, encouraging participation in off-farm activities, creating reliable information and awareness towards farmers’ perceptions in the area. Finally, further support of high yielding wheat varieties adoption should be given due attention for smallholders.

Keywords: Adoption, High yielding wheat varieties, Smallholder, Binary probit

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-1-01