Determinants of Improved Teff Varieties Adoption and Its Impact on Productivity: The Case of Non-Traditional Teff Growing Areas of Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Adoptions of improved crop varieties like Teff have an impact for increasing agricultural productivity and improving the food security status of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. The main objective of the current study was to examine factors affecting adoption of improved Teff varieties at farm level in non-traditional Teff growing areas of Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Western Ethiopia, by using random sampling technique and the data were collected from 249 smallholder Teff growing farmers using face to face interview. Descriptive statistics, Tobit estimation model and propensity score matching (PSM) were employed to analyze the data. The empirical evidence showed that dependent members of the households, land allocated to cereal and horticultural crops had negative and significance effect on area under improved Teff varieties, while livestock ownership (heifer and poultry), access to training and information on Teff, being progressive farmer and social networks have contributed positively and significantly to Teff adoption. The PSM results indicated that adoption of improved Teff varieties had significant impact on Teff productivity of adopters as compared to the non-adopters with  increased Teff productivity over 276.6 kg/ha. Moreover, the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) on productivity of Teff is 656.43 kg while the controls groups harvested around 379.82 kg. The average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) of Teff productivity is greater compared to the non-adopters that has brought about 42.14%, indicating change for being participated on improved Teff production compared to non-users.

Keywords: Benishangul-Gumuz, Intensity, Participation, PSM