Determinants of adopting improved bread wheat varieties in Arsi Highland, Oromia Region, Ethiopia: A Double-Hurdle Approach

Abstract

The improvement of agricultural productivity using technology is an important avenue for increasing output and reducing poverty in sub-Saharan countries. However, the low adoption of high yield varieties has been identified as one of the main reasons for low productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, the study examined the effect of demographic, socioeconomic and institutional factors affecting adoption and adoption-intensity of improved wheat varieties (IWVs), using data obtained from randomly selected farm households in the Arsi Highland of Ethiopia. We estimated a Double hurdle model to analyze the determinants of the intensity of IWVs adoption, as adoption and use intensity were two independent decisions influenced by different factors. The results also show that Double hurdle model is more appropriate than the Tobit model. Empirical estimates of the first hurdle reveal that wheat farming experience, distance to cooperatives, renting a tractor and combine harvester, Urea application, and net income from the wheat grain sale all significantly increased the likelihood of IWVs adoption. Estimates of the second hurdle revealed that the Bedilu Demissie Zeleke

The role of social capital in addressing seed access constraints and adoption intensity: Evidence from Arsi Highland, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

“…This shows that chemical fertilizer is one of the important complementary inputs for realizing the full potential of high-yield varieties. This positive effect of chemical fertilizer is consistent with Zeleke et al [ 65 ] for improved wheat varieties adoption in Ethiopia.…”

Determinants of Adoption of Improved Varieties of Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Teff (Eragrostis teff), and Maize (Zea mays L.) in Central Ethiopia

“…The marginal effect shows that for every unit of extension contact, the likelihood of adopting improved maize varieties increases by 4.5%. This finding is in line with research by Dinku & Beyene (2019); Bedilu et al (2021).…”

“…According to Wordofa et al (2021); Karolina & Malgorzata (2020), improved agricultural technology increases yields and farm income, which has a significant positive impact on food security. Bedilu et al (2021) indicate that farmers are not using improved wheat varieties due to a lack of information, accessibility, incentives, and unaffordable input prices.…”

Determinants of the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices by smallholder wheat farmers in northwestern Ethiopia

“…For instance Refs. [ [37] , [38] , [39] ], examined the adoption of wheat row planting, and [ 40 , 41 ] examined the adoption of improved wheat variety. However, these studies have been limited in terms of identifying how practices complement each other, despite wheat farmers employing various CSAPs simultaneously to adapt and mitigate to climate change.…”