Economic Analysis of Farmers Preference for Mechanization Technology Traits: In Case of Jimma

Abstract

The aim of this research is to better understand farmers' perception of the relevance of different technology intervention programs. Farmers’ subjective ranking of mechanization problems and their preference for development intervention are elicited using a stated preference method. The factors influencing these preferences are determined using a random utility model. Study is based on a survey conducted around jimma area of the southwestern Ethiopia. Individual interviews were conducted with 145 randomly selected farm households using semi-structured questionnaires. The study suggests that quality of technology, income of farmers and access of technology are high priority preference problems for farmers.Local market prices for mechanization technology and high prices for purchased it also came out as major problems for the majority of farmers. Farmers’ preferences for mechanization technology traits fall into two major categories: pre-harvest post-harvest technologies. Multinomial logit analysis of the factors influencing these preferences revealed that farmer’s specific socioeconomic circumstances and subjective ranking of agricultural problems play a major role. It is also shown that preferences for some interventions are complementary and need to be addressed simultaneously. Recognition and understanding of these factors, affecting the acceptability of development policies for micro level implementation, will have a significant contribution to improve macro level policy formulation.Technology preference information is essential to targeting research. This manuscript presents the findings of a study that evaluated farmers’ preferences on mechanization technology traits, including the economic perspective; as a basis for enhancing adoption of the technologies in the central southwestern Ethiopia. Also reports an effort on different technology to measure the market value of technology characteristics/attributes. Five technologies were selected from jimma agricultural mechanization. In the market, price and easy to use characteristics were noted. In the quality of technology, price, easy to use, availability and damage levels were considered

Keywords: preference, traits, technology and farmers