Adoption of Major Improved Crop Varieties in Selected Districts of the Southwest Ethiopia Region

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Year : 2026 | Volume : 15 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Amanuel Afeto,

  • Tesfaye Gafaro,

  • Zelalem Abate,

  1. Agricultural Economics Researcher, Department of Agriculture Economics and Gender Directorate, Southwest Ethiopia Agricultural Research Institute; Bonga Agricultural Research Center, Bonga, Ethiopia
  2. Agricultural Economics Researcher, Department of Agriculture Economics and Gender Directorate, Southwest Ethiopia Agricultural Research Institute; Bonga Agricultural Research Center, Bonga, Ethiopia
  3. Agricultural Economics Researcher, Department of Agriculture Economics and Gender Directorate, Southwest Ethiopia Agricultural Research Institute; Bonga Agricultural Research Center, Bonga, Ethiopia

Abstract

Agriculture forms the backbone of the Ethiopian economy and significantly contributes to the livelihoods of the majority of the population. It remains a central pillar of food security, employment, and rural development across the country.The present study aims to examine the adoption of improved major crop varieties and to identify the key factors influencing their uptake in the southwest Ethiopia region. The research was carried out in the districts of Bita, Chena, Andiracha, and Sheyi Bench, located in southwestern Ethiopia. Data for this study were collected through household individual survey interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions from primary sources and published and unpublished secondary sources. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression of econometric model was employed to indicate the finding this study. The adoption of major improved crop varieties were lower, only 34.90% of the sample households were used improved crop varieties in 2022/2023 production year Improved maize, wheat, common bean, and faba bean varieties were distributed in 2022/2023 production year in the area. Improved maize adopters were 25.3%; wheat adopters were 11.49%; common bean was 2.68% and 0.76% were faba bean adopters. Binary logistic regression results indicate that educational status, total annual income, and frequency of extension agent contact positively and significantly affect adoption of major improved crop varieties. The main challenges to adoption were supply problems, inflated improved seed price, lower productivity difference with local landraces and disease attack, and land shortage. Regional, zonal, and district governments should work on accessing quality improved seed of farmers’ interest on time and needed amount, and special attention should be given to districts with the least adoption rate by creating awareness, training, demonstration, and accessing agricultural inputs to achieve better technology adoption levels.

Keywords: Adoption, Improved varieties, Binary logistic, Maize, Wheat, Southwest

How to cite this article:
Amanuel Afeto, Tesfaye Gafaro, Zelalem Abate. Adoption of Major Improved Crop Varieties in Selected Districts of the Southwest Ethiopia Region. Research & Reviews : Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology. 2026; 15(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Amanuel Afeto, Tesfaye Gafaro, Zelalem Abate. Adoption of Major Improved Crop Varieties in Selected Districts of the Southwest Ethiopia Region. Research & Reviews : Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology. 2026; 15(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjoast/article=2026/view=246738


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 15
02
Received 12/02/2026
Accepted 26/02/2026
Published 15/06/2026
Publication Time 123 Days
10

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