Abstract:
Maize is an important crop in the country's agricultural economy and food security at the
household level. To increase the productivity of maize, high yielding Limu maize variety have
been popularized and disseminated by Agricultural office and other organizations involved in
extension activities but its adoption is constrained by many factors. Hence the objectives of
this study were to identify factors determining the adoption of Limu maize variety and to
assess the perception of farmers' on Limu maize variety. South Achefer District was
purposively selected for its maize growing potential and four kebeles were selected
randomly. Systematic random sampling was used to select 220 sample households. This study
used cross-sectional data collected in 2018/19 production season from sample households.
The semi-structured interview schedule was developed, pre-tested and used for the collection
of data for the study from the sample households. Secondary data were collected from
relevant sources such as district-level agricultural office and others. Descriptive statistical
tools like mean, standard deviation, percentage, and frequency distribution were used to
summarize the characteristics of the sampled households, and t test and chi square tests were
employed to analyze the relationship between adopters and non adopters. Binary logit model
analysis was used to identify factors influencing the adoption decision of households on Limu
maize variety. The result of binary logit model shows that Education, availability of family
labor, higher of livestock ownership, utilization of credit, distance to the market, frequency of
contact with extension agents, participation in training, participation in field days and
participation in the social organization were found to be significantly influencing households
adoption decision. Adoption of Limu maize variety is influenced positively by mentioned
variables except it is negatively influenced by market distance. Therefore, this result implies
that providing adult education for farmers, encouraging the use of hired labor, improving
crop-livestock production system, establishing credit institutions that consider farmers
economic level, providing transport facilities for farmers through infrastructural
development, strengthening the existing extension services, providing training to farmers,
demonstration of Limu maize to farmers and strengthening farmers' organization need policy
attention to enhance adoption of Limu maize variety.
Keywords: Adoption, Limu maize, logit model, South Achefer.
1
Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background and Justification
Ethiopia's economy which registered high growth since 2005 at an average rate of 10.8% per
annum is standing out as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The service
sector contributed the largest share of percentage growth of GDP which is 4.7% followed by
industry and agriculture which contributed 3% and 2.5% to economic growth respectively
(UNDP, 2016).
The share of the agricultural sector was 36.7% whereas the service and industrial s