Impact of improved wheat technology adoption on productivity and income in Ethiopia

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important cereal crops cultivated in wide range of agro-ecologies in Eastern Africa. However, wheat productivity has remained low. This study was carried out in Ethiopia Aris Zone to determine the level and impact of adoption of improved wheat varieties on wheat productivity and farm income level of wheat producers in the country. The study employed the propensity score matching method to carry out the impact study. It was found out that the rate of adoption of improved wheat varieties in 2013 was 56%. Probit model showed that sex of household headship and livestock ownership enhanced adoption of improved varieties, while the educational level of the household head negatively affected in enhancing the adoption of improved wheat varieties. According to the result of the propensity score matching method, improved wheat variety adoption on average increased wheat productivity of adopters by about 1 to 1.1 t ha-1 than the nonadopters. Similarly, the result of the propensity score matching estimates showed that the average income of adopters was 35 to 50% greater than the non-adopters.The results provide empirical evidence that agricultural technology adoption can contribute to improving productivity and raising income of farm households.

Key Words: Adoption, Probit and Propensity Score Matching, Triticum aestivum