Bundling the adoption of conservation tillage improved crop variety and crop diversification in Ethiopia: Implications for food security

Abstract

Bundling the adoption of different adaptation strategies is useful in reducing multiple agricultural risks, building the resilience and supporting food security. This study analyses the effect of bundled adoption of conservation tillage, improved crop variety, and crop diversification on household food security in Ethiopia. In this study, a quantitative survey approach was used to gather household data using structured questionnaires. The data were gathered from randomly selected drought-prone districts of the Wolaita zone (southwest Ethiopia), which is often characterized by severe soil erosion, frequent rainfall variability, fragmented landholding, and poor plot tenure system, all of which threaten household food security. Household interview data were analyzed by the means of a multinomial endogenous switching model. Using the principal component analysis, the adoption of different adaptation strategies was bundled into three key components: conservation tillage, improved crop varieties, and crop diversification. The results showed that greater food security outcomes were achieved with the bundled adoption of conservation tillage, improved crop varieties, and crop-legume production compared to either of the single adoption. Adopters of the three bundles were 32.29% more food secure in terms of household food consumption score and 24.46% more food secure based on the scores of dietary diversity. The adoption of the three bundled climate change adaptation strategies was significantly influenced by the gender of the household head, farm size, and value of productive farm assets, implying that socioeconomic conditions are important factors affecting the adoption of bundled strategies and household food security. To promote bundling of adaptation strategies, frequent provision of agricultural extension services, active participation in farmer/female peers, and empowerment of women should be maintained through continuous education and gendered training.