STUDY ON THE INTENSITY AND ADOPTION OF IMPROVED WHEAT VARIETIES AND ASSOCIATED AGRONOMIC PRACTICES IN KAFFA ZONE, THE CASE OF GESHA WOREDA

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum spp.) is one of the most important cereal crops in Ethiopia. It is largely grown in the highlands of the country and constitutes roughly 10% of the annual cereal production and plays a substantial role in supplying the population with carbohydrates, protein and minerals .Low production and productivity, which is mainly associated with poor adoption of improved technologies, is persistent in Gesha woreda. Adoption of improved technologies is one of the most promising ways to increase food security in Ethiopia. However, the adoption and dissemination of these technologies is inhibited by various factors. The objective of this study was to assess factors affecting adoption and intensity of adoption of improved wheat production and associated agronomic practices in Gesha Woreda, Kaffa zone of SNNPRS. A total of 120 sample households (109 male and 11 female) selected from 3 kebeles of the Woreda were interviewed using structured interview schedule. Qualitative data were collected using group discussion, and field observation. Data analysis was done with the help SPSS 16; mainly Chi-square test, independent sample t-test. Tobit econometrics model was employed using STATA 10 to determine intensity and probability of adoption. The results of descriptive statistics and the econometric model indicated that the relative influence of different variables on probability and intensity of adoption of improved wheat production Thus, sex of house hold head, education of house hold, ,attending training on improved wheat production, attending field day programs, conducting demonstration, frequency of extension agent contact with house hold, mass media exposure, frequency of use of mass media, farm income farm size and ownership of livestock positively and significantly influenced adoption and intensity of adoption of improved wheat production Results of measurement of farmers’ adoption index revealed all respondents are in the category ranging from non adopters to medium adopters and no house hold has entered to high adopter category. Farmers’ deviation from recommended package practices was found partly due to inadequate extension service, lack of adequate awareness creation. The overall findings of the study underlined the high importance of extension service provision to improve farmers’ access to information and extension advices to address the recommended agronomic practices practically, educating farmers and avoiding gender biased extension services by participating women in development/extension programs. Attention has to be given to release of disease resistant varieties of wheat that suits agro ecology of the study area by researchers.