Adoption Probability and Intensity Determinants of Crossbred Cows Technologies in Oromia National Regional State

Abstract

Modern dairy production technologies dated back to 1950s in Ethiopia. Efforts have been made by governmental and non-governmental organizations to expand the use of crossbred cows to boost yield. However, adequate empirical information on adoption of crossbred cows in Ethiopia is lacking. This study investigated the determinants of crossbred cows adoption in Oromia National Regional State using large dataset collected from eight zones. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select the study zones, districts, kebeles and households. Using a standard formula to determine sample size, a total of 1630 samples were selected using systematic random sampling technique. The data collection procedure was implemented using a structured questionnaire designed to collect better quality data. Both descriptive and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Heckman’s two-steps selection model was used to investigate the determinants of adoption probability in the first stage and determinants of adoption intensity (number of crossbred cows) in the second stage. Result shows that the adoption level of crossbred cows in Oromia Region was 28%. The probability of adoption was positively influenced by education and age of household head, grazing, perceived feed cost, knowledge on improved feed, milk selling experience, and milk market distance but negatively influenced by price of crossbred cows. The intensity of adoption was positively influenced by farm size, dairy related training, milk production and experience in milk selling, but negatively influenced by gender (male) and age of household head, perceived high price and unavailability of crossbred cows, high feed cost and distance from big cities. Therefore, socio-demographic, institutional and dairy related attributes should be taken into consideration in designing policies that target crossbred dairy cow expansion in Oromia and other regions that share similar characteristics of dairy development with Oromia. Formal heifer rearing centers should also be established and strengthened not only in Oromia but also other regions of the country to ensure adequate suppliers of dairy cows as affordable prices.