Determinants of Adopt ion of Improved Jalenea Potato Variety: The Case of Chencha Woreda , SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to empirically examine factors affecting adoption of improved Jalenea potato variety in Chencha Woreda. The Woreda was selected purposely because it has high potential area in potato production and has 45 rural kebeles from which 14 kebeles have better potential to produce ware and seed potato of which 4 kebeles were selected by using simple random sampling technique. As to the sample size 120 respondents were considered for the study and it was determined using Yamane’s formula. Prior to selection of the respondents’ first potato growers in the selected Kebeles were identified. Second, the number of respondents from each kebele was determined based on the proportion of growers in each kebele. Finally, the respondents were selected using a random sampling technique. Relevant primary data for the study were collected from respondents using structured interview schedule. Furthermore, four focus group discussions were conducted with farmer and stakeholders drawn from four kebeles. The participants of focus group discussion include DAs, Woreda experts and women’s. Secondary data were retrieved from relevant report and documents. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 wherein different descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used. Important statistical techniques used in the present study were mean, percentage, frequency, Chi- square test, and T-test. Moreover, binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors affecting adoption of improved Jalenea potato variety. The result of the study indicated that age of the household was negatively and significantly correlated with adoption whereas sex of the household head was positively and significantly related to the adoption. Non-farm activity, total land size and farm income had positive and significant relationship with adoption. Attending training, field day, and membership of seed multiplication cooperative also had positive and significant relationship with adoption of improved Jalenea potato variety. The overall finding of the study underlined the importance of institutional support in the area of extension; training and membership of farmer’s cooperatives to enhance adoption of the variety. Therefore, policy and development interventions should give emphasis to improvement of such institutional support system so as to achieve broader adoption, increase production and income to smallholder farmers.