Factors Influencing High Yielding Wheat Varieties Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia

Abstract

Wheat yield is low in Ethiopia. Adoption of high yielding wheat varieties is one of the measures presumed to enhance wheat yield in the country. However, there are several socio-economic and institutional factors that limit the adoption of high yielding wheat varieties. The main objective of this study was to analyze factors affecting adoption of high yielding wheat varieties by small holder farmers in Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data collected from sample of 174 farm households selected through two-stage stratified random sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Probit model was employed for adoption analyze of high yielding wheat varieties. The probit model result depicted that land holding size, tropical livestock unit, access to agricultural information, frequency of extension contacts, off-farm income and perception of farmers toward attributes of high yielding wheat varieties affected the likelihood of adoption of high yielding wheat varieties positively and significantly. But, sex of household heads and affiliation to organizations had negative and significant effect on the adoption of high yielding wheat varieties. The finding suggest that the government and stakeholders should need to focus on improving farm land and livestock productivity, strengthening frequency of extension visits, encouraging participation in non-farm activities, creating reliable information and awareness towards farmers’ perceptions in the area. Finally, further support of high yielding wheat varieties adoption should be given due attention for smallholders. Keywords: Adoption, High yielding wheat varieties, Smallholder, Binary probi