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

Abstract

Increasing agricultural productivity and improving the sustainable livelihoods of rural farmers are among the government of Ethiopia policy priorities. In this effort, adoption of improved agricultural technologies is expected to play a vital role. However, the uses of improved maize varieties are constrained by various factors. Hence, in this study, an attempt was made to examine factors affecting adoption of improved maize varieties. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to select 218 sample households from both Babile and Fedis Districts using cross-sectional data. Probit econometric model was used to identify factors affecting households’ adoption decision to improved maize varieties. The model results indicated that age of household head, level of education of household head, farm experience in maize production, total farm size owned, access to extension services, access to improved maize seed, the distance nearest market and districts dummy were significantly affect the adoption of improved maize varieties in the study districts. The empirical results of this study suggests that strengthening the extension services, improvements in improved seed delivery systems for further promotion. The study also suggests that policy intervention should be made on improving the educational level of farming households is also important.

Keywords: Adoption, Improved maize varieties, Probit model, East Hararghe

DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/122-01

Publication date:July 31^st 2023