Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties as a Sustainable Agricultural Intensification in Eastern Ethiopia: Implications for Food and Nutrition Security

Abstract

This paper examines factors determining farmers’ adoption decision for improved maize varieties in the maize-common bean intercropping practices in two districts of East Hararghe zone, Eastern Ethiopia. It is based on data collected from 129 farm households using structured questionnaire. Descriptive results revealed that adopters of improved maize varieties had better food and nutrition security status. Furthermore, logit model output indicated that the decision to adopt improved maize varieties is influenced by location (district) dummy, education status of the household head, age of the household head, distance from the main road, and the number of plots owned. Major recommendations include improving the rural road infrastructure, educating and training farmers, organizing experience sharing events among farmers, and raising awareness about the food and nutrition security benefits of sustainable agricultural intensification practices like intercropping improved maize with improved common bean varieties.

Determinants of multiple maize technology packages adoption in Ethiopia: Evidence from Sidama region

“…This infers that the greater the experience of farmers, the more likely they are to adopt improved technology packages. This result is in line with the study by [54,55].…”

“…This in turn encourages farmers to adopt improved maize technology packages and make necessary investment on the plots. This nding is also in harmony with the ndings by [54,70].…”