Factors Influencing Intensity of Adoption of Improved Highland Maize Varieties: The Case of Toke Kutaye District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Improved highland Maize is a new and promising crop gradually becoming important in the highlands of Ethiopia. Its production is rapidly increasing in the highland parts of the country where it has been a minor crop in the past. The empirical evidences on the determinants of agricultural technology adoption and their intensity of adoption are very limited. In this paper, determinants of adoption and intensity of adoption of improved highland maize varieties were investigated by using descriptive statistics and econometric model (Tobit). Two stage sampling procedure was followed in order to draw 150 sample respondents. The model result revealed that variables such as farm size, household income, access to credit, contact with extension agents, participation in training, and field day were positively and significantly influenced whereas, age of household and market distance negatively influenced adoption and intensity of use of improved highland maize varieties production in the study area. Therefore, government policies and intervention on adoption and intensity use of agricultural technology should pay attention and move along those variables significantly influencing adoption and intensity of use of new agricultural technology.

Keywords: Adoption, Intensity, Highland Maize, Technology, Tobit model, Ethiopia.