Influence of Livelihood Assets’ on Farmers Control Practice for Enset Xanthomonas Wilt in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This study examined how the livelihood assets influence enset farmers’ decisions to control the disease Xanthomonas Wilt. For examining how household adopt their farming practices to control the disease and preserve their livelihoods, useful theoretical architecture represented by Sustainable Rural Livelihood (SRL) framework were used. Empirically, double-hurdle model was applied. The results indicated that the human, social, natural, physical capitals and vulnerability context are the driving factors for adopting the recommended EXW controlling strategies. Natural capital negatively associated with extent of adoption decision of the farmer whereas the social capital influences it positively. This finding promotes the importance of improvement of livelihood assets to enable significant support to the natural and social capitals of the farmer that provide important resources and information exchange for continuous adoption of EXW controlling strategies.