Degefu K Bayecha

Evidences suggested that use levels of inorganic fertilizers are below the recommended rates in maize production. It is, therefore, necessary to investigate the reasons behind the failure to adopt the recommended rates of these fertilizers on maize production. This study analyzed determinants of intensity of adoption using a survey data collected from 383 randomly selected maize producing households. For this purpose, a two-limit Tobit model was applied. The econometric result revealed that variation in districts, family size, membership to cooperatives, distance to FTC, and livestock holding significantly affected smallholders’ intensity of adoption of DAP in maize production. On the other side, variation in district, farming experience, farm size, membership to cooperatives, dependency ratio, and annual income significantly determined intensity of adoption of Urea. It is, therefore, necessary to give due emphasis to the indicated determinants in order to assist maize producing far...

Wheat is an important stable crop in Ethiopia, it is produced in both highland and lowland or under high moisture and moisture stress areas of Ethiopia. However, farmers lack of knowledge about appropriate and recommended practice is among bottle neck identified in food insecure and moisture stress areas. This demonstration project is initiated in response to finding appropriate, profitable wheat technology and evaluate improved production practice along farmers practice in moisture stress areas of East Shoa, Arsi and West Arsi zones. It used two improved varieties along with local variety. Research's recommendation on an area of 0.25 for each variety is used. A total of 48 farmers of which 30% Women and 20% NPSNP and 80% farmers are used for the experiment. Accordingly, average yield of kingbird is 33.8 quintal while that of Ogolcho is 32.8 quintals. The study result indicates that both men and women either, the poor or non-poor will harvest and achieve better yields if equally technically supported and accessed to technology. Due consideration to appropriate extension advisory service would enhance yield performance of both men and women and poor and non-poor households. It would be great if future, intervention enhanced availability of appropriate technology that addresses women and men's interest. Frontline extension and advisory service providers should be considerate of pertinent issues so that both men and women, PSNP and NPSNP would benefit. Further, strengthening stakeholder partnership with research and development partners network and establishing a feedback mechanism has of paramount importance. The use of meteorological information would also be important.

Production of wheat by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia contributes a significant share to the agricultural production of the country. However, the actual productivity of the crop has been far below its potential. Varied levels of technology adoption are often observed among smallholder farmers producing the crop. For enhanced dissemination of technology packages and improving wheat productivity, it is vital to elucidate socioeconomic factors that are behind disparity in technology adaption among smallholder farmers. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyse the socioeconomic , institutional, and other pertinent variables that determine the existing disparity observed among smallholder farmers in terms of adopting wheat production technology packages in Gurawa and Meta districts of eastern Ethiopia. The study utilized survey data collected from 124 randomly selected wheat households producing wheat. For this purpose, an ordered logit model was applied. The econometric results revealed that age of the household head, membership in cooperative institutions, and household annual income significantly and positively explained the disparity observed in adoption of wheat production technology packages. Conversely, gender of household head (sex), farming experiences, number of plots owned, and frequency of contacts with extension agents explained the disparity significantly, but negatively. It could be concluded that development practitioners, planners, and policy makers should give due considerations to the aforementioned socioeconomic and institutional factors when designing dissemination of wheat production technology packages for adoption by farmers.

Evidences suggested that use levels of inorganic fertilizers are below the recommended rates in maize production. It is, therefore, necessary to investigate the reasons behind the failure to adopt the recommended rates of these fertilizers on maize production. This study analyzed determinants of intensity of adoption using a survey data collected from 383 randomly selected maize producing households. For this purpose, a two-limit Tobit model was applied. The econometric result revealed that variation in districts, family size, membership to cooperatives, distance to FTC, and livestock holding significantly affected smallholders' intensity of adoption of DAP in maize production. On the other side, variation in district, farming experience, farm size, membership to cooperatives, dependency ratio, and annual income significantly determined intensity of adoption of Urea. It is, therefore, necessary to give due emphasis to the indicated determinants in order to assist maize producing farmers by boosting maize productivity.

Potato production plays an important role in improving household income and nutrition and thereby contributes to food security. Despite of this, the current productivity of the crop is below the potential. Low level of use of improved potato technology package is among the causes for low productivity. In this context, this study analysed the factors influencing adoption of potato technology package by smallholder farmers in Gurawa, Haramaya, Kombolcha, Meta, and Habro districts of Eastern Ethiopia. The analysis was based on a household survey conducted on 214 randomly selected potato growing households. A two-limit Tobit model was used to analyse the factors affecting adoption which is measured in an index computed from five components of the technology package. Variation in districts, access to irrigation, farm size, membership to cooperatives, and annual income of the households were found to significantly affect the adoption of potato technology package. Policy makers, planners and development practitioners are required to give due attention to these determinants in order to support smallholder farmers in production and productivity improvements from potato production.