Factors determining allocation of land for improved wheat variety by smallholder farmers of northern Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted in Northern Ethiopia, Adwa district. The main objective of the study was to examine factors influencing allocation of land for improved wheat variety by smallholder farmers of the study area. Descriptive, inferential and econometric methods were used to analyze data. Results of descriptive and inferential analyses showed that; adopters had high family size in adult-equivalent, high number of tropical livestock unit, large land size, high frequency of extension contact, access to credit service, they were followed formal schooling, and they were nearest to main road and market as compared to non-adopters. Tobit model was used to analyze factors influencing adoption of improved wheat technology econometrically. A total of thirteen explanatory variables were included in the model. From the tested variables only eight variables (education level of household head, family size, tropical livestock unit, distance from main road and nearest market, access to credit service, extension contact and perception of household towards cost of the technology) were found to be the significant factors affecting adoption of improved wheat variety. Implication of results of this study is that any development intervention through improved wheat technologies should consider the aforementioned socioeconomic characteristics and determinants of adoption for success.