Abadi Teferi

Bio: Abadi Teferi is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Descriptive statistics. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 13 citations.

Factors that affect the adoption of improved maize varieties by smallholder farmers in Central Oromia, Ethiopia.

Abstract: This study aims at identifying factors which affect the adoption of improved maize varieties in three woredas in Central Oromia, Ethiopia. The study utilized cross-sectional farm household level data collected by CIMMYT from 300 randomly selected sample households in 2012/13. Both descriptive and econometric methods have been used to analyze the data. The descriptive statistics were utilized to compare adopters and non-adopters. The logit model was employed to assess the adoption determinants.The descriptive analyses results show the existence of significant mean and proportion difference between adopters and non-adopters in terms of farmer characteristics. Adoption of the improved maize varieties among households was found to be positively influenced by adult-literacy, family size, livestock wealth, access to output market and credit access for the new varieties. On the other hand, farmer associations, distance to main markets and fertilizer credit negatively influenced adoption. Thus, the finding of this study revealed that educating farmers, strengthening extension services, improving farmer associations and improving market opportunities are some of the measures that need to be taken to enhance adoption of improved maize varieties by farmers. Keywords : improved maize varieties, small-holder farmers, adoption, determinants, Ethiopia

Economics of small holder common beans production in Mbeya, Tanzania

Abstract: Common bean is a major source of food and income for smallholder farmers in Tanzania.The national average yield for common beans which ranges from 0.72 to 1.10 tone/ha, is far below potential yields recommended by agricultural research (1.5 – 3 tones/ ha) using improved varieties. Low common bean yield is contributed by several factors which lower farmers` profit. This study examined the economics of smallholder common beans production in Mbeya, Tanzania. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyse the data collected from a sample of 120 bean farmers. Gross margin was used to estimate profitability of common beans production. On the other hand, multiple linear regression and logit models were used to determine the influence of socio-economic factors on common beans profitability and the factors influencing improved common bean varieties adoption respectively. The results show that the average gross margin was TZS 309 214per acre which indicates that common bean farming in Mbeya district is profitable and contributes significantly in creating cash income and employment.Multiple linear regression results indicate that farming experience, land size, access to credits and household size have significant influence on profitability of common beans in the study area. Moreover, the results of binary logistic regression show that age, household size, land size, access to extension services, offfarm income activities and distance to the nearest market have significant influence on the adoption of improved common bean varieties. Moreover, the results show that the crop pests and diseases, unreliable rainfall, high price of farm inputs, unreliable market, shortage of land, price fluctuation and low capital are the major challenges faced beans producers in the study area.The present study concludes that common beans production is profitable and contributes significantly in creating cash income and employment in the study area. It is recommended that extension services and credit systems should be

Factors influencing adoption of improved maize seed varieties among smallholder farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract: This study ascertained factors influencing adoption of improved maize seed varieties in three local government areas of Kaduna State, North-central Nigeria. It collected cross-sectional data for a sample of 180 randomly selected farming households across three local government areas of the State in 2015/16. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were performed on the data. The descriptive statistics differentiated adopters from non-adopters, while the inferential analysis involved estimation of a logit model to determine factors driving adoption of improved maize seed varieties in the study areas. The results of the descriptive analysis show significant mean differences between adopters and non-adopters regarding several farm households’ characteristics. The model results reveal that adoption of improved maize seed varieties among the households was positively influenced by age, household size, level of education, farming experience, labour availability, contacts with extension agents, farm size, off-farm income and membership of associations. Thus, the study concluded that improving farmers’ education, expanding coverage and depth of extension services and strengthening farmer associations are useful policy actions for promoting adoption of improved maize varieties. It is also important to address availability, accessibility and affordability issues constraining adoption, enhance credit access and mitigate risk perceptions. The link between researchers and innovators and the farmers who are the off-takers of their outputs should be reinforced to increase maize productivity in order to satisfy national demand and promote food security. Key words: Adoption, determinants, Kaduna State, smallholder farmers, maize.

Comparative Analysis of Improved Maize ( Zea mays L.) Seeds Adoption on Smallholder Farmers’ Performance in Fako Division, South West Region, Cameroon

Abstract: This paper describes the socio-economic characteristics of smallholder adopters and non-adopters of improved maize seeds; compares the physical productivity (yield) level of improved maize seed adopters’ and non-adopters’; determines the differences in cost, revenue and gross margin between smallholder adopters and non-adopters of improved maize seeds in Fako division. To achieve these objectives, data were collected from 150 adopters and 150 non-adopters of improved maize seeds and analyzed with the use of descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The results of the study show that maize production is dominated by educated married women (76.67%) with average age of 48 years for adopters and 51 years for non-adopters of improved maize seeds in Fako Division. Results also show that the average family size is 4 persons who rely on agricultural production as their main source of income and have been farming for an average of 17 years for adopters and 21 years for non-adopters of improved maize seed although without any training in maize production. The result of physical productivity (yield) revealed the existence of productivity gap between adopters and non-adopters with a significant (P < 0.001) positive difference of 297.7kg, in favour of adopters. In the same light, a difference in gross margin of 44,329.28 FCFA (Franc de la Communaute Financiere l’Afrique) was recorded in favour of adopters of improved maize seeds. Therefore, improved maize seed can be considered as one of the empowerment tools with the potential of boosting farm productivity, increasing farmers’ income, increase food security and welfare of farmers in the long run.