Aman Tufa

The study was conducted in Malga district of Sidama Zone in Ethiopia to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of households and identify factors governing the intensity of barley adoption. The district was known with barley production. The study used both primary and secondary data. Multistage sampling techniques were used to select three peasant associations and 129 barley producing households. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and frequency) was used to describe variables under consideration whereas econometric model (Tobit) was applied to and identify the factors governing the adoption of improved barley. The result of analysis revealed that age, farm experience, oxen, membership of cooperative, distance to all weather roads and annual income were found to be significant variables affecting the intensity of barley adoption. Therefore, infrastructural development, providing inputs access, creating financial viability and strengthening farmer’s organization are ...

This study was designed to identify factors affecting coffee productivity in Daro Labu district of West Hararghe Zone of Ethiopia. The study was based on data generated from 120 coffee producers selected based on simple randomly sampling technique. Descriptive statistics was employed in the process of examining and describing farm household characteristics. The Cobb-Douglas production function was used to identify and estimate the effects of socioeconomic factors on coffee productivity. Results obtained from the model indicated that among the explanatory variables included in the model; fertilizer, coffee farm size, family labor, coffee farming experience, land allocated for Khat were found to be statistically significant factors affecting coffee productivity. Among the significant variables except land allocated for Khat other variables were found to be positively related to coffee productivity.

The productivity of Ethiopia’s agriculture is still low despite the fact that policy makers have initiated and implemented programs
to encourage farmers to use improved inputs in their production. This study explores what drives the smallholder farmers to use
improved inputs (seed and fertilizers) in maize production. The data was collected through structured questionnaire that were pre
tested to ensure the validity and objectives of the study under consideration. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the households. Econometric model (Tobit) was used to identify factors that determining the intensity
of inputs use among maize farmers. The result of Tobit model also shows that improved maize use intensity were influenced by
tropical livestock unit, access to credit, distance to all weather roads, distance to the nearest market, membership to the cooperative,
frequency of extension contact, and annual income. The use of chemical fertilizers namely Di-Ammoniate Phosphate use intensity for
maize production was significantly influenced by family size, tropical livestock unit, and distance to the nearest market whereas the
urea use intensity was significantly influenced by family size, distance to the nearest market, and annual income. The chemical fertilizers use intensity for maize production is by far below the recommended rate mainly urea. Hence, the study draw out that resource
endowment, institutional and infrastructural factors would be enhanced to improve the intensity of maize technologies adoption.

This study was designed to identify factors affecting coffee productivity in Daro Labu district of West Hararghe Zone of Ethiopia. The study was based on data generated from 120 coffee producers selected based on simple randomly sampling technique. Descriptive statistics was employed in the process of examining and describing farm household characteristics. The Cobb-Douglas production function was used to identify and estimate the effects of socioeconomic factors on coffee productivity. Results obtained from the model indicated that among the explanatory variables included in the model; fertilizer, coffee farm size, family labor, coffee farming experience, land allocated for Khat were found to be statistically significant factors affecting coffee productivity. Among the significant variables except land allocated for Khat other variables were found to be positively related to coffee productivity.

The study was conducted in Malga district of Sidama Zone in Ethiopia to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of households and identify factors governing the intensity of barley adoption. The district was known with barley production. The study used both primary and secondary data. Multistage sampling techniques were used to select three peasant associations and 129 barley producing households. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation and frequency) was used to describe variables under consideration whereas econometric model (Tobit) was applied to and identify the factors governing the adoption of improved barley. The result of analysis revealed that age, farm experience, oxen, membership of cooperative, distance to all weather roads and annual income were found to be significant variables affecting the intensity of barley adoption. Therefore, infrastructural development, providing inputs access, creating financial viability and strengthening farmer's organization are areas that need policy attentions.