Adoption of improved wheat production technology in Gorche district, Ethiopia

BackgroundEthiopia is a major producer of cereals and the largest wheat producer in sub-Saharan Africa. The wheat sub-sector is strategic for the Government of Ethiopia, where wheat has several food uses which can be prepared in modern or culturally processed techniques. Crop production and productivity including wheat is a function of all the recommended technology packages not only variety. Adoption of all recommended production technologies play a significant role in improving wheat production and productivity which in turn has clear implication on food security of Ethiopia and welfare of the farmers. Recent studies conducted focused on adoption of only single technology, primarily variety adoption, without considering its associated production technologies. Therefore, this study attempts to identify the major factors determining adoption of improved wheat (Shorma, Degelu, Danda and Kakawa) production technologies in Gorche district, Ethiopia.MethodologyThe finding of this study is based on primary data collected from 150 randomly selected households and secondary data collected from literature review. Primary data were collected from these respondents using structured and semi-structured interviews. Tobit model was applied to identify factors affecting the adoption and intensity of adoption of improved wheat production technology in the study area.ResultThe results of tobit model showed that land holding, annual income, level of education, membership in social organizations, access to credit, and positive attitude toward improved wheat production technology positively and significantly influence the adoption and intensity of adoption of the improved wheat production technology. On the other hand, age and market distance significantly and negatively impact adoption and intensity of adoption of the improved wheat production technology.ConclusionAdoption and intensity of adoption of improved wheat production technology is a function of socio-economic, demographic, farmer's attitude and institutional factors. The policy relevance of our findings is that investment in education, strengthening social capital through available local social networks, provision of attitude-focused training and continuous technical support on improved wheat production technologies, improving income, expanding access to credit and market are important to facilitate adoption of improved wheat production technologies. Hence, addressing constraints associated with credit and market access, improvement in income, attitudes of farmers towards improved technology would improve the adoption and intensity of adoption of improved wheat production technologies.