Adoption of Major Agricultural Technologies in Coffee Based Farming Systems of Ethiopia

Abstract

This study used cross-sectional household survey data and assessed adoption of major agricultural technologies and its determinants in coffee based farming system of Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics and multivariate probit regression model were used to analyze the data. The study unveiled that 91% of the farmers in coffee-growing areas of the country at least adopted either one or a combination of the four major agricultural technologies (minimum tillage, soil and water conservation practices, improved livestock and improved varieties of major crops). In most of the cases, the farmers’ adoption pattern was observed to have a combination of technologies. Seven percent of the farmers adopted all of the four combinations of technologies at a time while 30% adopted a combination of three technologies and 35% a combination of two technologies. Out of the major agricultural technologies considered in this study, improved crop varieties were most commonly adopted technologies by 75% of the farmers either alone or in combination with the other three. This was followed by 58% of the soil and water conservation technologies who were adopted either alone or in combination with others. Minimum tillage and livestock technologies adopters accounted for 48% and 26% respectively who adopted either alone or in combination with the other three.  The study identified determinant factors of adoption of agricultural technologies. Principally improving awareness of farmers through trainings and field days is found crucial to enhance adoption of agricultural technologies. The study also revealed existence of adoption complementarity between the considered agricultural technologies. This can be exploited as an opportunity to set up intervention options which can enhance adoption of combinations of the technologies.