Abstract:
The importance of agricultural technology in enhancing the welfares of farmers can be realized
when yield gain from the technologies results in meaningful gain in nutrietionaly adequate foods.
In this regared, improved varieties were play a great role in improving households food security,
food consumption, and food diversity, and there-by contributing to nutrition security. This study,
therefore, analyzed the probability and use intensity of improved soybean varieties adoption and
its effect on households’ food security. The data was collected from Pawe woreda of Benshangul
Gumuz Region in 2019 meher season. The survey consists of 384 households out of whom 227 are
improved soybean variety growers. In this study a multi-stage stratified sampling technique was
employed to select rural Kebeles and households. Four rural Kebeles were selected randomly.
Both logit and Tobit model were used to analyze factors affecting adoption probability and
adoption intensity of improved soybean varieties respectively and an endogenous switching
regression model (ESRM) was used to analyze the impact of improved soybean varieties on
households’ food security using food security scale, food consumption score, and household
dietary diversity score as proxy variables. Education level, total land owed, the existence of
neighbor adopter, use of credit, maturity period, participation in training, and income of
households were found as the main factors of adoption probability and use intensity of improved
soybean varieties. The Endogenous switching regression model result shows that, adoption of
improved soybean varieties increases the average dietary diversity score, food consumption and
food security scale 0.678, 4.095 and 0.725 points for 24 hours,7 days and 12 monthes respectively.
The results suggest that promotion and adoption of improved soybean varieties, by strengthening
extension service, will contribute to improve the nutritional status of the farming households.
Keywords: Adoption, Endogenous switching regression model, Food security, Improved Soybean
Variety, Impact, Tobit model.