Adoption of High Yielding Maize Technologies in Major Maize Growing Regions of Ethiopia

Abstract

The overall objective of this study is to investigate and document adoption levels and to specifically determine the factors that affect the adoption process of improved maize varieties and draw implications for research, extension and policy. The mean age of adopters and non-adopters of improved maize was more or less 42 years and had similar years o f experience in operating and handling their own farm, Out of the Adopters of improved maize varieties, 35 were illiterate, 23 had primary school education, 21- participated in a literacy campaign, and 6 and 9 reached junior and senior high school, respectively. The average household size of adopters was 7.30 persons, consisting of 3.53 children less than 14 years,*2.03 adult males, 1.91 adult females, and 1.16 aged dependents. jrhe average farm size of adopters of improved maize varieties was significandy larger (2.03 ha) than non-adopters (1.42 ha) (t =-6.62, p<0.01). Total cultivated area and the area allocated to maize production in 1998 by adopters was 1.74 and 0.9 hectares respectively. r ■ Mean livestock herd size of adopters of improved maize technology was 1.94 oxen, 2.24 cows, 1.99 calves, 1.B4 heifers, 1.59 bulls. On the other hand, 31 of adopters of improved maize own one ox, 37 own two oxen, 6 own 3 and 4 oxen. The t-test revealed that there is a significant difference (p<0.001) in the number of oxen owned by farmers who have adopted improved maize varieties and those who have not. It was found that 93 of both adopters and non-adopters of improved maize obtained credit from extension, i.e., the Bureau of Agriculture, at all levels. A systematic association between adoption of improved maize and access to credit, indicating that farmers with access to credit have a higher probability of adopting improved maize varieties than diose households with no access to credit = 747.306;p<0.001). Maximum likelihood estimates of die parameters and the respective influences of each exogenous variable on the probability of improved maize adoption are calculated. With highly significant (p<0.001) model chi-square statistic (yj) 788.178 value (with 16 degrees of freedom) and a 748.356 log likelihood ratio, the model achieved 90 & correct prediction. Figures for correcdy predicted adopters and nonadopters of high yielding improved varieties were 95.1 and 73.3, respectively. Among the factors considered in die model, use of chemical fertilizer, attending formal training, distance, to the nearest market center, access to credit, tropical livestock unit access to extension information and family size were found to significantly influenc ' adoption of improved maize. A logit maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters and the influences of each exogenous variable on the probability of chemical fertilizer adoption were analyzed. With highly significant (p<0.001) model chi-square statistic (xO 426.638 value (with 16 degrees of freedom) and a 1093.051 log likelihood ratio, die model achieved 83.5 & correct prediction. Figures for correctly predicted adopters and non-adopters of improved varieties were 92.7 and 52.3, respectively. Among the factors considered in die model, use of improved maize, farm experience, distance to the nearest market center, access to credit, level of education, tropical livestock unit, family size, and use of' community labor were found to significandy affect adoption of chemical fertilizer.