IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOY-ADOPTION ON SMALL-HOLDER FARMERS’ WHEAT PRODUCTION.

Abstract

In Ethiopia, agriculture is the back bone of the economy, yet is characterized by smallholder farming and experienced erratic rainfall as well as drought. The low produce can possibly grow through developing technology adoption and improved practices on the adjoining farm lands. This study, therefore, examines the impact of agricultural technology adoption on smallholder farmers’ wheat production in the study area using a primary data sources from a survey of a random sample of 394 small-holder farm household heads. Out of which 187 household heads were Technology adopters (users) and the remaining 207 were non adopters (non- users). To deal with this, the logistic model was used to estimate the probability of technology adoption for participant and non-participant households and propensity score matching model was used to compare wheat yield difference between technology users and non-users. Based on the logistic analysis result, adoption of new agricultural technologies such as fertilizer application, improved seed usage, credit service and row planting method was significantly and positively influenced by sex, age, education level, landholding size, and access to extension service whereas negatively influenced by family size. Propensity score matching model analysis result also revealed that there is significant wheat yield difference as a result of fertilizer usage, improved seed usage, credit service and planting type adoption between farmers. Wheat yield was improved on average by 15.776 quintal; 11.5 quintal; 16.28 quintal; and by 15.658 quintal on a hectare base as a result of adopting chemical fertilizer, improved seed variety, and row planting method respectively. Based on the average treatment effect on treated (ATT), we can deduce that wheat yield was improved on average by 16.64 quintal (ATToutput= 16.64) as a result of adopting new agricultural technologies. Based on this fact, the researcher has recommended that adopting improved agricultural technologies such as fertilizer, improved seed variety, credit service and row planting significantly improves wheat yield in Sodo Zuriya Wored, Wolaita zone SNNPR