Factors Affecting Adoption of Wheat Row Planting Technology: The Case of Sodo Zuriya Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. December, 2016

Abstract

This study was conducted in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Its aim was to find out the status of adoption of wheat row planting technology and to study factors that affect the adoption among farmers in the study area. In order to achieve these objectives, 124 rural households were selected randomly following probability proportional to sample size technique. The sample households were interviewed using interview schedule. Both primary and secondary data were used. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics like mean, standard deviation, percentages and frequency distribution. Inferential statistics such as t-test and chi-square (c²) tests were also used to describe characteristics of adopter and non adopter households. The survey result shows that about 55.65% and 44.35% of sample respondents were found to be adopter and non adopter of wheat row planting technology respectively. A binary logistic regression model resulted in five significant variables among 17 variables. These were sex of the household head, education status, household size in adult equivalent, oxen ownership, and participation in agricultural training and demonstrations. The model estimate correctly predicted 79% of the sample cases, 85.5% adopters and 70.9% non adopters. Therefore, the findings of the study suggest improvement in illiteracy levels and designing and implementing adult education strategies, introduction and promotion of appropriate livestock packages, and strengthening of farmers training centers (FTCs) for proper functioning in terms of training delivery and arrangements of demonstrations to suit the felt needs the farmers.

Keywords: Row planting technology, Adoption, Wheat, Binary Logistic Regression model.