Factors Influencing the Adoption of Improved Sorghum Varieties in Awbere District of Somali Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Sorghum is the most important cereal crop in the Awbere District, where the grain is used for human consumption and the stover for animal fodder. Sorghum is produced traditionally using oxen plow, seed broadcasting and threshing by animals. Package based extension program in the Somali Region was started in the year 1996 in Jijiga Zone, including Awbere District and since then, a number of improved sorghum varieties were disseminated to farmers. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence the adoption of improved sorghum varieties in Awbere District. Both primary and secondary data were used whereby the primary data were collected from 180 households in 2010. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression model were employed to analyze data. The findings of the study indicated that age and distance to input market were negatively and significantly related to improved sorghum varieties whereas farm size and type of house owned were found to have been positively and significantly related to improved sorghum varieties. The results of the study confirm that farmers who are better in economic status (having larger farm size and better quality house) and have access to market information can be greater technology adopters. Moreover, targeting younger farmers may enhance the adoption of new agricultural technology in the area.

Keywords: Adoption; Improved Sorghum Varieties; Awbere District; Socio-Economic Factors; Institutional Factors