Impact of Teff Row Planting Technology Adoption on Smallholder Farmers’ Yield: The Case of Banja District, Awi Zone, Amhara Region Ethiopia

Abstract

Agricultural intensification is presumed to be a necessary pre-condition for the development of the agricultural sector in Ethiopia in general and in Awi zone particularly. In this regard, various governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) initiated agricultural technology schemes specifically row planting throughout the country including the Amhara region. Despite these efforts, however, smallholder farmers in the study area are found to be reluctant to adopt or practice row planting methods of sowing. Therefore, this study assesses the impact of teff row planting technology adoption on smallholder farmers’ yield: the case of Banja District, Awi Zone, Ethiopia. Three stage sampling procedure was employed in the selection of sample respondents. Results are based on data collected from a sample of 120 selected rural farm households. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression and PSM were used to estimate the determinants of row planting technology adoption and to estimate impact on teff yield. The logit result revealed that out of eleven explanatory variables used in the model four variables are statistically significant. These variables are age of household head, education level of household head, access to credit usage and participation in the off- farm activity. Of which significant variables only age of household head has negatively affects technology adoption the rest three have positively influences row planting technology adoption. Finally, the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) estimated result obtained using PSM method has proven that technology adopters (treated) get 5.25 quintal of teff yield per hectare in a single production year than non-adopters (controls) but labor cost is the same in both cases. Therefore, both governmental and non-governmental organization interventions should include strategies on how to enhance the participation of households to row planting activity to meet the high demand of teff for this rapidly increased population in the country.

Keywords: Adoption, Banja, Impact, Row planting, Smallholder farmer, Technology

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-1-01

Publication date: January 31^st 2023