DETERMINANT OF IMPROVED SORGHUM VARIETY (MELKAM) ADOP

TION IN BABILE DISTRICT, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abdukerim Ahmed Mumed, MSc, [email protected]
Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Kebri-dehar
University, Ethiopia
Tamiru Chalchisa Ass.professor
Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Jima,
University, Ethiopia
Dereje Hamza PhD
ABSTRACT

Extreme drought condition is a serious challenge for agricultural production and threating
food security in sub-Saharan country including Ethiopia. Adoption of improved crop varieties
like sorghum is very important to improve household food security. However, adoption of
improved sorghum in our country is very limited due to several factors. The aim of this study
was to examined adoption of improved sorghum variety (melkam) and its impact on smallhol
der farmers’ food security in Babile district Eastern Harerghe zone, Oromia regional state,
Ethiopia. A combined research approach (a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods of
data collection and analysis) was employed. A multistage sampling procedure was used to
select five (5) kebeles and 320 sample household heads. Primary data was collected through
an interview schedule assisted survey questionnaire, focus group discussion, key informant
interview and secondary data was collected through document review. Descriptive,
Household calorie acquisition and econometric were applied for data analyses. The
descriptive statistics revealed that age of household head, years of schooling, land size, farm
income, market distance, access to extension service, access to credit service, and farmer
cooperative were found to significantly differentiate adopter and non- adopter households at
various levels. Moreover, the result of binary logistic regression revealed that years of
schooling, farm size, annual farm income, access to credit service, access to extension
service, farmer cooperative, age of households and market distance were significant factors
determining improved (melkam) sorghum variety adoption in the study area. Therefore, this
result implies that improving educational level, creating a special line for credit access,
enhancing farmer cooperative in the area needed government attention to enhance improved
sorghum variety adoption. Furthermore, to enhance improved (melkam) sorghum variety
adoption local leaders should work on the dissemination of improved (melkam) sorghum
variety in the area.

Keywords: adoption, food security, impact, improved (melkam), sorghum Babile

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1. INTRODUCTION
Climate change results in significant losses of agricultural production and threatens food security
across the globe (Lesk et al., 2016). In the last decade, for instance, the agriculture sector shares
about 25% of climate-associated disasters, and subsequently lost around 25 billion USD (Karki,
2020). The development and use of climate smart and resilient crop varieties are the keys to a more
sustainable solution for mitigating climate change effects (Makate et al., 2019). A drought-tolerant
crop, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is the sixth (6) most planted crop in the world (Wagaw
et al., 2020). It is one of the most vital cereal crops utilized for food and supports in different parts of
the world (Mekonnen et al., 2021). For those living in dry and semiarid regions, of Africa, sorghum is
the most important cereal, which around 300 million individuals depend for their daily consumption
(Zhao et al., 2019; Adebo et al., 2020).

The commercial value of sorghum has increased considerably since it is processed into food
product (Mundia et al., 2019; Sissoko et al., 2019). Sorghum consumption and utilization has
increased in the developing world, and sorghum production has increased at an annual average rate of
2.5 % ( Sultan et al., 2019).Sorghum crop grown in almost all regions of Ethiopia and used as a staple
food crop on which the lives of millions of Ethiopians farmers depend on it (Semahegn and Teressa,
2021).

In 2020, out of the total grain crop area covered by cereals; i.e., 10.2 million hectares, 14.97%
(1.88 million hectares) covered with sorghum, ranking third next to teff and maize (Teressa et al.,
2021). Similarly, out of the total national grain production, cereals contribute to 87% (253 million
quintals) with sorghum shares amounting to up to 16% (47 million quintals) (CSA, 2018). Sorghum
production has considerably increased in the last five years by 1.7; million tons of yield production.
This were obtained from both adoption and sorghum varieties improvement (Demeke and
Marcantonio, 2019). Nearly 4.5 million smallholder farmers were cultivated sorghum in 2019
(Demeke and Marcantonio, 2019) while, production in yield and productivity were increased from
1.2tons/ha to 2.5 tons/ha (Seyoum et al., 2020).

Sorghum is the main crop grown in the Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, and SNNP regions, which cover
41% of the total area and production (CSA, 2018; Deribe and Kassa, 2020). In Oromia; sorghum
covers 719,399.7 ha of land and it is the third major food crop next to maize and teff and the fourth in
production next to maize, wheat, and teff with an average yield of 25.22 q/ha (Lemma et al., 2020).
The major challenges of sorghum production and productivity were low adoption of improved
sorghum variety, lack of resistant variety, lack of proper management systems, post-harvest loss, and
unfavorable ecological situations (Legesse et al., 2019).

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 The current Ethiopian agricultural policy strongly favors cereal, due to its importance for
food security attainment and import substitution. Policies and Strategies for improving sorghum
varieties in Ethiopia have a long history which was more than five decades began in the mid of 1950s
at the Haramaya College of Agriculture (IDRC, 1978) with collaboration work of Oklahoma State
University (Semahegn and Teressa 2021). Research has been conducted to advance technologies in
the area of variety development, crop management and cropping system, crop protection, and food
security (MoANR, 2019). In the last four decades improved sorghum varieties have been released for
lowland areas at national and regional levels in Ethiopia (Siyum et al., 2021), but still improved
sorghum variety adoption was low.

Sorghum and maize in the Eastern Harerge zone contributed 28.11%, 26.55 % of the grain crop
area, and 31.18 %, and 29.67% of the production of the zone, respectively (Markos et al., 2020).
Despite its huge economic benefits, sorghum production and productivity are limited by a variety of
environmental, socio-demographic, institutional, and market-related factors. Aside from that, sorghum
production and productivity were limited by low farmer adoption
Many works of literatures have written about factors that determine the adoption of agricultural
technologies. In the past, economic analyses of technology adoption have attempted to explain
adoption behavior based on personal characteristics and endowments, imperfect information, risks,
uncertainty, institutional constraints, input availability, and infrastructure (Bonabana,2002 ;Umar,
2014; Mwangi and Kariuki, 2015; Ayenew et al., 2020; Balehegn et al.,2020 ).

However, because of farmer-specific and farmer-associated (natural resource, cultural, socio-

economic, market, and institutional) differences, factor affecting sorghum technology adoption differ
across the country. Technology adoption studies show that factors influencing adoption differ by
location. Therefore, there is a need to conduct specific studies on technology adoption in areas where
extension and research programs were implemented to understand the important factors affecting
adoption in these areas (NKonya and Norman, 1997).

Yet, information concerning adoption of the technologies and locally specific factors influencing
adoption in the Babilel district was not empirically documented and often poorly understood.
Understanding the nature of these factors and quantifying the extent to which each of these factors
contributes to, or hinders the adoption of melkam sorghum variety was of paramount importance to
enhance sorghum technology uptake. Therefore, this study was conducted to analysis determinant of
improved sorghum variety (melkam) adoption in Babile district East Harerghe zone, Oromia regional
state, Ethiopia

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 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1. Description of the Study Area

Babile district in the eastern lowlands of Ethiopia is situated at the semi-arid transboundary
of Oromia and Harari Regions, located about 560 km southeast of Addis Ababa. The capital
town of the zone is Harer, which is 15 km from Babile district. Baabile bordered on the South
and East by the Somali Regional state and on the North West by Harari Regional state and on
the West by Fedis, and the north by Gursum district. Geographical, it is located at 08 9,90’N
latitude, 42021’E longitude, and the district has an altitude that ranges from 950 to 2000 m
above sea level. The mean annual minimum and maximum temperature range from18-28oC
while the mean annual rainfall and humidity ranges from700 900mm and 33 38%,
respectively (Amentie, et al., 2019). According to the current administrative division, the
woreda was subdivided into 22 kebeles (20 rural kebeles and 2 urban kebeles) administration.

The total population of Babile district was estimated to be 118,537 (DANR, 2020) of the
district. Out of this, males were for 59,298 (50.02%) while females were 59,139(49.8%). The
woreda also has around 10,874 households. In sex ratio 8,985(82.6%) are male-headed
households and 1,889(17.4%) are female-headed households (Gudeta, 2017).

Agricultural production is the main means of livelihood for the district. Crop production is
dependent on rainfall and the major crops produced in the area according to their importance
are maize (29%), sorghum (30%), groundnut (25%), sweet potatoes (17%) of the total area
cultivated(DANR,220). Most families also rear livestock. Oxen provide traction power for
the cultivation of agricultural lands. On the other hand, livestock was kept as a source of
income through milk.

3.2 Research Design

A cross-sectional survey research design with both quantitative and qualitative approach
was used in order to capture the data required for the determinants of melkam sorghum
variety adoption. According to Mann (2003), this type of research design used in descriptive
research and the determination of the relationship of variables.

3.3. Sampling procedure and sample size determination

Multi-stage sampling procedures used. At the first stage, out of 18 rural districts of the
Eastern Hararhge zone, Babile district was purposively selected based on the potential of
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sorghum production and melkam sorghum variety is promoted to the area and crop
technology pilot testing was there in the district from the zone. In the second stage of the
sampling process, out of 20 sorghum producer kebeles of the district, in which improved
(melkam) sorghum variety was distributed and adopted by some farmer households, five (5)
kebeles were randomly selected. At the third stage, the household heads in five the (5)
kebeles were stratified as melkam sorghum variety producers and non-producers using
stratified sampling. Finally, 320 household heads were selected using a simple random
sampling technique by lottery method and probability proportional to the size of the total
population of the five (5) kebeles.

3.4. Methods of Data Collection

A. Primary data collection methods

Household survey interview schedule: To generate quantitative information at the

household level, the survey was undertaken by using an interview schedule. The structured
interview schedule has particularly consisted of the issues related to the demographic, socio-
economic, market and institutional variables relevant to the study were collected from the
respondents. On the other hand, data on determinants and adoption status of improved
(melkam) sorghum variety by smallholder farmers over the last five years in the study area
were collected. The surveys were carried out with the help of development agents (DAs) in
each of the target kebeles.

Focus Group Discussion (FGDs)

To have detailed information and to complement the information obtained from the
household survey; qualitative primary data was gathered by holding discussions with
purposively selected participants. This technique emerged as a qualitative data collection
approach and a bridging strategy for scientific research and local knowledge (Nyumba et al.,
2018).
In total ten FGDs ,two (2) FGDs at each selected five (5) kebeles, by considering their
socio-economic background or stratified in two groups adopter ( 3-4 male and 3-4 female-
headed households at one time ) and non-adopters(male and female headed household) were
organized to generate detailed information related to the research question. Using the
necessary checklists developed to guide the discussion was made in the local language (Afan
Oromo), the time for discussion was one hour (1) in each group discussion and directed by
the researcher.

Key Informant Interviews (KII)

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The primary data collected from sample household heads need to be further enriched by
additional information gathered through key informants. Thus, the intensive interview was
conducted with key informants selected from the district agricultural and rural development
office, development agents from target kebeles, and community members (men and women)
from each five (5) kebeles were included as a key informant interview. However, the numbers
of those who were purposively selected, as key informants were determined based on
saturation of information or data saturation theory (which guide as the information we get
from selected KIIs was the representative for others).
B. Secondary data source
Secondary data was gathered by document analyses from published and unpublished
documents and literature related to the research objectives was reviewed. Documents and
reports maintained at Farmer Training Center (FTC) by Development Agents (DAs) and
district agricultural offices were referred to as major sources of secondary data. Document
review was the main technique for the secondary data collection.

3.5. Methods of Data Analysis

Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques were used in the study. Descriptive,
and econometric were employed to analyze the data. Descriptive statistical analysis methods
were employed to discuss the result of the survey using frequency, percentages, mean, and
standard deviation. The Chi-square tests and t-test was used to see the presence of statistically
significant differences and the systematic association between those adopters and non-adopter
in terms of the hypothesized variables. Quantitative categorical types of data were analyzed
using frequency, percentage, and chi-square tests. Whereas, quantitative continuous types
were analyzed using t-test, mean and standard deviation. Qualitative information was
organized and constructed coherently.

Econometric model specification

Binary logistic regression was employed to analyze the factors influencing the adoption of
improved (melkam) sorghum variety. This model is chosen because it has the advantage that
to reveals the relative influence on the probability of adoption of the technology and can
predicate the probability of the extent of adoption properly. The binary logit model used more
when the dependent variable is dichotomous while the independent variables are the
combination of both dichotomous and continuous variables. Qualitative information was

6
organized and constructed coherently. Finally, the analysis was done with the help of (SPSS
ver.21, STATA ver.13).

3.7. Variables Selection, Definition, and Hypothesis

The dependent variable in this study is the adoption of improved(melkam) sorghum variety.
It’s a dummy variable that takes the value of 1 if smallholder farmers are producing melkam
sorghum variety with full recommend package for at least 5 years and have the interest to
continue to produce the crop and 0 otherwise.

Outcome variable: The outcome variable in this study is household food security, which is
measured by daily calorie intake. It is a continuous variable measured by Kcal/AE/day at the
household level. Accordingly, the Household Caloric acquisition approach was used to
measure the food security situations/status of sample respondents.

Independent (Explanatory) Variables

Independent variable: From different studies reviewed in the literature, the following
explanatory variables were hypothesized to affect the dependent variable. It is categorized
under household socio-economic characteristics, institutional and market-related factors.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Current status of improved (melkam) sorghum variety adoption
As indicated from the survey result, out of the total sampled respondent, nearly half (47.5%)
of sampled households heads were started growing melkam sorghum variety since in the last
five years were adopters and 52.5% of the farmer were non-adopters in the study area. This
implies that the status of improved sorghum melkam variety adoption in the study has a good
level because this variety has a good yield in production and is consumed by many demands
in the district not only consumed by producers. However, many factors influence the adoptio
n of melkam sorghum variety like demographic, socio-economic, institutional, and market-
related factors that were constrained in the study area.
As noted from the qualitative data collected through KII in the study area, all most all
farmers in the area produce improved sorghum (melkam) variety in the past five
years. Farmers prefer the melkam sorghum variety for many reasons: it has a good
yield in production, stock for livestock feed, has good drought resistance, a white
color seed for attraction of market and food. This variety can be consumed as Enjere,
porridge, roasted all most between smallholder farmers in the study area.

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FGD was expressed that, the melkam sorghum variety was one of the newly released, and
highly disseminated between smallholder farmers in the district. Food security and the
production of improved (melkam) sorghum variety has much interacted because melkam
sorghum variety was more preferred trait seed by farmers in case of consumption and market
price from other improved sorghum variety and attracted by a lot of demands. Farmers
preferred melkam sorghum variety because of its early maturity, drought tolerance, high
yielding ability, marketability, stalk palatability (sweetness) and quality food making were
the main advantages listed by s and KIIs during survey data collection.

One member of KII, A 40-year from a female-headed household said that:

---------I have planted sorghum (melkam) variety in the last 8 years and I got 25 q/ha
yearly. Why this variety has a high capacity to drought-tolerant, early maturity, and
good yield. When we make injera from melkam sorghum, we mix melkam and wheat
to make injera, and no need more other mixtures to make injera and porridge as other
improved sorghum varieties like T.shale variety. This variety could easily be cooked
and consumed by the household. So that I can say this variety has good product and
production for our community in the district.

4.1.1 Socio-economic characteristics of Sample respondents (Dummy variable)

This study utilized primary data collected, which includes both quantitative and qualitative
during December and September 2021 from 320 household of five kebeles in Babile district.
As indicated below Table1 and 2 were present the characteristic of respondent corning with
adopter and non-adopter of improved sorghum (melkam) variety.
As shown in Table 1: From the total sample sizes of 320, handled during the survey were
out of this 244(76.25%) and 76(23.75%) were male and female, respectively. The cross-tabul
ation between improved sorghum (Melkam) variety adoption and sex of sampled households
indicated that about 82.24 % of adopters were male while 17.76 % were female. This shows
that male-headed households were better adopters than female-headed household head in the
study area. The statistical test shows that there was a significant association between the sex
of households head and improved sorghum variety adoption in the study area.

Participation in off-farm/non-farm activity- The survey results in Table 4 below

shows that out of the total respondents, about 50.3% of the sample respondents have been
engaged in non/off-farm and the rest have not participated. The cross-tabulation between
improved sorghum (melkam) variety adoption and household participation in non-farm
activity indicates that about 64.47% were adopter and 37.50 % were non-adopter farmers
were engaged in non-farm income activities in the study area. The statistical test shows that
there was a significant association between non/off-farm activity and adoption of (Melkam)
sorghum variety in the study area.

8
 The above result agreed with the narrative qualitative data collected from FGDs.
They expressed that in the study area, petty trading, house making, labor activity,
Chet trading during summer, and charcoal were some of the non-farm activities in
which sample households have participated to get additional income, which enable
them to buy improved seed and to cover another cost.

In terms of Access to extension service: out of the total respondent, about 49.38 % of
sample respondents have got access to extension service and the remainder were not had
access to extension service. The cross-tabulation between improved sorghum (melkam)
variety adoption and household access to extension service indicates that about 65.79% were
adopter and 34.52% of non-adopter farmers have access to extension service in the study
area. This implies those households have access to extension services were better adopters
than the non-adopter group. The statistical test shows that there was a significant association
between access to extension service and adoption of improved sorghum (melkam) variety
( Table 1). In terms of Access to credit service out of the sampled household 162 (50.62%)
of household gets access to credit service in 2020/21 production year. From the two groups,
99 (65.13%) of the adopters and 63 (62.50%) of the non-adopters used credit service. The
statistical test shows that there was a significant association between melkam sorghum variety
adoption and household access to credit service.

In terms of accessibility of improved sorghum varieties: out of the total sampled

household, about 55.94% of sample respondents have access to improved (melkam) sorghum
varieties in the study area. The cross-tabulation between improved (melkam) sorghum variety
adoption and household accessibility to improved sorghum (melkam) variety indicates that
about 67.11% of household were adopter and 35.71% of non-adopter were access to
improved sorghum variety for production. The statistical test shows that there was a
significant association between improved (melkam) sorghum variety adoption and
accessibility of improved sorghum (melkam) variety(Table1).

The above result was agree with the narrative result of qualitative data collected
through FGD indicated that those households access to improved sorghum varieties
in the study area were more adopter than those not accessible to improved (melkam)
sorghum variety in the study area.

Farmer cooperative: From the total household about 53.75% sample, respondents have
participated in the farmer cooperative. The cross- tabulation between melkam sorghum
variety adoption and farmer cooperative shows that about 73.68% were adopter and 39.29%
of non-adopter farmers have participated in farmer cooperatives. The statistical test shows
that there was a significant association between melkam sorghum variety adoption and farmer
cooperative (Table1).

In terms of Market information: Out the total sampled respondent household about
47.81% of sample, respondents were got market information. The cross-tabulation between
improved (melkam) sorghum variety adoption and household market information, from that
57.24% of them were adopter and 39.29% of non-adopter farmers had market information.

9
The Chi-square test result shows that there was no association between market information
(independent variable) and adoption (dependent variable) of sorghum variety (Table1)

Table 1: Summary statistics and proportional difference Ch2- test for independent
dummy variables
Variables Adopter Non-adopte Total Chi2valu P-value
(152) r (320) e
(168)
N % N % N %
Sexhh Male 125 82.24 119 70.83 244 76.25 5.7303** 0.019
Fema 27 17.76 49 29.17 76 23.75
l
Off/Non- Yes 98 64.47 63 37.50 161 50.31 23.25*** 0.000
farm Activity No 54 35.53 105 62.50 159 49.69
Access to Yes 100 65.8 58 34.52 158 49.38 31.20*** 0.000
extension No 52 34.2 110 65.48 162 50.62
serve
Access to Yes 99 65.13 63 62.50 162 50.62 24.37*** 0.000
credit service No 53 34.87 105 37.50 158 49.38
Farmer coop Yes 112 73.68 60 35.71 172 53.75 46.27*** 0.000
members No 40 26.32 108 64.29 148 46.25
Accessibility Yes 102 67.11 77 45.83 91 55.94 14.65*** 0.000
to IMSV No 50 32.89 91 54.17 141 44.06
Market Yes 87 57.24 66 39.29 153 47.81 0.97NS
information No 65 42.76 102 60.71 167 52.19
Source: Own survey, 2021
**, *** Refers to significant at 5% and 1%; N: Number, NS: Non-significant

4.1.2. Socio-economic characteristics of respondents (continuous variables)

The statistical tests for this study indicated that there was a significant difference between
melkam sorghum variety adopter and non-adopters in terms of their age, educational level,
farm size, total farm income and distance to the nearest market of the household.

Educational level of household head: Average educational level of respondents was grade
2.9. In this study, regard to educational level, the mean education level of adopters was grade
2.28 and non-adopters' mean education level was grade 1.3. The statistical t-test shows that
there was a significant mean educational difference between improved sorghum variety
adopters and nonadopters at a 1% significant level ( t= 7.1653and p=0.000). This study
indicated that improved sorghum variety adopters have more years of schooling than non-
adopters in the study area. The study indicated that improved rice adopters have more
educational level than non-adopters(Table 5).The possible reason is that, education increase

10
the capacity of farmers for information searching and application practice of their farming
system with improved technology usage.

The above result agreed with qualitative data collected through KII. They indicated
that recently development agents and extension workers, which help improve farmers’
ability to read and write, facilitate motivation of farmers for basic adult education at
FTC level enhance their capacity to use improved variety. Better education attainment
of farmers can increase the adoption of technology in the study area.

The above result agreed with qualitative data collected from FGDs, they expressed
that, years of schooling increase the ability to read and write which has strongly
affected the household openness and access to new information, techniques, or
technologies adoption than those have below one year of schooling.

The above result agreed with qualitative data collected from FDGs. They expressed
that, those households with large farm sizes can better diversify their crops and have
a better chance to adopt improved sorghum variety, this gives chances for them to
pant improved sorghum varieties on their cultivated land. In addition, adopter groups
can use compatible technologies that could increase the efficiency of the farmer.
Table 2: the t-test results that show the correlation of the continuous variable with the
dependent variable

Adopter Non-adopter
Variable Mean Standard Mean Standard Comb t-value
deviation deviation mean
Age of HH 44.28 6.88 48.7 8.63 46.812 9.812***
Educational level of HH 3.967 2.459 1.96 2.49 2.915 7.17***
Family Size HH 4.375 .0807 3.68 .087 4.081 1.66NS
Farm Experience HH 10.60 1.93 9.142 2.07 9.725 1.851NS
Farm size of the HH 2.01 1.99 1.17 .82 1.580 4.18 ***
Livestock holding of hh 5.99 1.495 5.285 1.27 5.453 0.512NS
Farm income of HH 32710.6 4980.10 30753. 687.9 32187. 7.61***
Distance to nearest 8.06 5.04 9.14 2.352 8.93 2.50**
markets
Source: Own survey, 2021
**, *** Refers to significant at 5%, and 1% significant level

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4.3. Determinants of improved (melkam) sorghum variety adoption

The binary logistic regression model was employed for the analysis of determinants of impro
ved (melkam) sorghum variety adoption. Before performing the econometric estimation differ
ent econometric assumptions were tested using appropriate techniques.

4.3.2. Model fitness

The overall model is proven, as it is statistically significant at a P-value of 000. The Pseudo
R-square found about 0.3497, meaning all explanatory important variables included in the
model were explain 34.97% of the probability of household adoption of improved sorghum
(melkam) variety. The LR chi2 (15) =154.86 with p-value (Prob > chi2) = 0.000 also tell as
the logit model as whole is significant.

4.3.3. Binary Logistic Model output.

Out of the 15 explanatory variables used for the analysis, eight variables were significant
factors influencing households to adopt of improved (melkam) sorghum variety while the
remaining seven were less significant to explain the variation on dependent (adoption) of the
improved (melkam) sorghum variety in the study area.

Age of household head: It was hypothesis as age a negatively influence the decision to
adoption of improved (melkam) sorghum variety at a 5% significance level in study area.
Other variables remain constant, the odd ratio suggests that the probability to adopt improved
(melkam) sorghum variety decrease by a factor of 0.91 as household age increase by one
year. This means that young producers adopt more improved sorghum varieties than old
producers. It implies that as a farmer advances in age, they adopt less technology as
compared to young farmers. This is because, as farmers grow older, there is an increase in
risk aversion and a decreased interest in long term investment in the farm. This result
confirms a prior expectation for this study and agrees with a study by Awotide et al. (2014)
which indicates that older farmers are averse to technology adoption.

The result is found in line with the narrative results of FGDs, as they expressed that as a
farmer advances in age, they tend to adopt less technology as compared to young farmers.

Education level of household head: As it was expected, the educational level of sampled
household heads was founded to have a positive influence on the adoption of melkam
sorghum variety in the study area at a 5% significant level. Other variables remain constant,
the odd ratio suggests that the probability to adopt improved (melkam) sorghum variety

12
increase by a factor of 1.76 as the household head educational level increase by one grade.
This might be the fact that relatively educated farmers have more access to information and
they become aware of new technology, and this awareness enhances the adoption of
technologies. On the other hand, educated farmers were search information as easy to manage
production and marketing activities, which need certain skills of management.

The KIIs confirmed that educated farmers were more likely in taking up new ideas and
technologies, as well as when they advised in new farming system and better education
achievement of farmers were always increased adoption of improved sorghum varieties
among educated farmers in the study area. This finding is consistent with (Shifera et al.,
2014; Abady et al., 2017; Shita et al., 2018).

Cultivated land of the Households: Land is perhaps the single most important resource, as
it is a base for any economic activity especially in rural and agricultural sector. As it was
hypothesized, the farm size of sampled households was showed that to have a positive
influence on the adoption of improved (melkam) sorghum variety in the study area at a 5%
significant level. Other variables remain constant; the odd ratio suggests that the probability
to adopt improved (melkam) sorghum variety increase by a factor of 1.4 as household farm
size increase by one hector. This implies those households who had large farm sizes would
have allocated more land for melkam sorghum variety than non-adopter in the study area.
Larger landholdings may also make it possible for farmers to pursue risk aversion strategies
such as adopting dryland crops such as sorghum alongside other major crops grown in the
area. This is due to; land is feasibly the single most important resource, as it is a base for any
economic activity especially in the rural and agricultural sector. The result of this study is in
line with the findings of (Egge. et al., 2012; Shiferawu et al., 2014; Zhera, 2014), which
found positive effects of farm size on the adoption of the new technology.

Annual farm income: As expected, the farm annual income of a sampled household was
found to have a positive influence on the adoption of sorghum (melkam) variety in the study
area at a 5%significant level by keeping all other factors constant. Other variables remain
constant, the odd ratio suggests that the probability to adopt improved (melkam) sorghum
variety increases by a factor of 1.3 as household income increases by one unit. The annual
farm income refers to the total annual earnings of the family from the sale of agricultural
produce after meeting family requirements. This is considered to be the primary source of
funding for agricultural input purchases. This implies in the study area those households with

13
a high level of farm income were likely to purchase improved variety or other essential
agricultural inputs. This study is in line with a study done by (Mengistu et al., 2018; Smale et
al., 2018).

Access to extension service: Extension is the main source of information for farmers to be
aware of the new crop varieties and it is a link between the innovators (Researchers) of the
technology and users of that technology. As expected, access to the extension service of the
sampled household was found to be positive influence on the adoption of melkam sorghum
variety in the study area at a 5% significant level. Other variables remain constant, the odd
ratio suggests that the probability to adopt melkam sorghum variety increased by a factor of
2.00, as the household access to extension service. Access to extension services has also been
found to be a key aspect of technology adoption. Farmers were usually informed about the
existence as well as the effective use and benefit of new technology through extension agents.
This is because the frequency of contact with extension agents increases the probability of
acquiring up-to-date information on the new agricultural technologies. This study in line with
those studies conducted by (Muez, 2014; Assan et al., 2018; Agidew and Singh, 2018).

Farmer cooperative: Members of farmer cooperative were hypothesized to influence

improved (melkam) sorghum variety adoption positively. While the study is in line with the
hypothesis and shows that, farmer cooperative had a positive and significant effect on the
adoption of improved sorghum variety at a 5% significance level in the study area. Other
variables remain constant, the odd ratio suggests that the probability to adopt improved
(melkam) sorghum variety increase by factors of 1.97, as households become social ’
cooperative member. These results were in agreement with those found by other authors
(Abdoulaye et al., 2014; Okeyo et al., 2020).

Credit Access: Credit services can relax farmers’ financial constraints and, in some cases,
are tied to a particular maize production. As expected, access to credit service of the sampled
household was found to have a positive influence on the adoption of improved (melkam)
sorghum variety in the study area at a 10% significant level. Other variables remain constant,
the odd ratio suggests that the probability to adopt improved (melkam) sorghum variety
increases by factors of 1.8 as household access to credit service. This is due to the fact that,
access to credit service commands the farmers’ financial resources to buy agricultural inputs
for improved wheat variety production. It believed that access to credit promotes the adoption
of risky technologies through relaxation of the liquidity constraint as well as through the

14
boosting of household’s-risk bearing ability. These results support with those of (Demissie
and Legesse, 2013; Gebresilassie and Bekele, 2015).

Access to credit service is the source of finance for the medium and lower income households
to buy inputs for agricultural production. In Ethiopia, the credit service given in kind and
cash form especially credit services delivered for agricultural production system. Different
Authors conformed that farmers who have access to credit service had more probability to
adopt the agricultural new technologies than otherwise. Babu et al. (2018) confirms access to
credit can increase the probability of adoption of agricultural new technologies by offsetting
the financial shortfall of the households. Similar finding indicates financial resources were
necessary to finance the uptake of new technologies (Ayenew et al., 2020).

Distance from the main market: The expected distance to the central market of the sampled
household was found to have a negative influence on melkam sorghum variety adoption in the
study area at a 5% significant level. Other variables remain constant, the odd ratio suggests
that the probability to adopt improved (melkam) sorghum variety decreased by factors of
0.89, as households increase the distance from the main market by1km. This is true that in
rural area as household more away from main market the probability to access inputs such as
seed, fertilizers and others for their field operation becomes low that hinders the farmers to
adopt improved technologies. This result is in line with (Shifera et al. ,2014; Embaye et
al. ,2017).

The above result agrees with FGDs, they pointed out that, the main problem or challenges for
our production and productivity of crop were more affected by transportation increase from
time to time, which was more challenge to us to bought improved variety from the main
market or distance from the main market in the study area.

Table 3: The logistic regression estimates household adoption of melkam sorghum varieties
Variable Coeff. Odd ratio Std. Err. Z P>z
NS
Sex of household head -.5164 .59 .3889582 -1.33 0.184
Age of household head -.1008 .91*** .0219097 -4.60 0.000
Educational level of HH .1052 1.11* .0602785 1.75 0.081
Family size of household .0009 1.01NS .1474548 0.01 0.995
Farm size of the household .2860 1.33** .1292484 2.21 0.027
Farm experience of the HH .0881 1.09NS .0871965 1.20 0.231
Annual Farm income of household .0005 1.01** .0000337 1.97 0.048
Part of HH in Off/non- farm activity .1429 1.15NS .3887269 0.45 0.652
Total live stock holding of the HH .0928 1.09NS .135427 0.89 0.375
Access to extension service .6932 2.00** .3874794 2.18 0.029
Farmer cooperative of HH .6783 1.97** .3845887 2.12 0.034

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Household head access to credit .5885 1.80* .3831366 1.87 0.061
Accessibility to improved sorghum .2530 1.28NS .3752343 0.79 0.432
Distance from market center(km) -.1163 .89** .0653723 -2.23 0.026
Market information .3507 1.420NS .3818613 1.14 0.256
Cons .778 2.17 2.408206 0.44 0.661

Number of Obs = 320 Log likelihood = -143.97764

LR chi2(15) = 154.86 Prob > chi2 = 0.0000
Pseudo R2 = 0.3497
Source: Own survey result, 2020.
Not: * ** and *** are significant level at 10%, 5% and 1% level respectively. NS is not
significant

5. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

This section is divided into three subsections. The first sub-section summarizes the major
findings of the study. The next subsections present the conclusions of the results, while the
third subsection forwards the recommendation based on the results of the study.

5.1 Summary
Sorghum is the most important cereal crop in production and area coverage in Ethiopia. Its
contribution to households’ income and food security is very high. Although nationally the
emphasis given to improved sorghum, technology has been high. The study was conducted in
Babile district; with the objective of the adoption of improved (melkam) sorghum variety in
Babile district Eastern Harerghe Zone. In the study area, sorghum is an important crop that
serves as a major source of food for smallholder farmers. Considering the contribution of
sorghum production in the study area, the local government has introduced different
agricultural technologies as a component of institutional support services.

Improved sorghum variety (melkam) is one of the newly introduced variety in the last decade.
Despite such institutional support services, utilization of improved technologies remained
low in the Babile district at which crop technology plotting test was there in the district.
Hence, this study aimed to identify resource endowments, institutional, infrastructure, and
market factors concerning adoption of melkam sorghum variety.

A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select kebeles and 320 sample respondent
of household heads. Primary data were collected directly through a structured interview. In
addition, secondary data were obtained from various relevant sources. Descriptive,
econometric model were used to describe the household and farm characteristics. Mean,

16
standard deviation, T-test, and Chi-square test were employed to differentiate between two
groups (adopters and non-adopters). Accordingly descriptive analysis, some mean differences
were observed between adopters and non-adopters in terms of demographic (age, educational
level, and family size of the household), resource endowment (having number of livestock,
farm size, annual farm income), and institutional related factors (distance to nearest market).
Mean association also deployed, sex, access to credit, social cooperative, off-farm activities,
accessibility to improved sorghum varieties, and access to extension service show the strong
mean association.

The binary logistic regression model output shows that the adoption of improved (melkam)
sorghum variety has been significantly influenced by eight variables. Those variables were
the education level of the household head, age of the household head, farm size, access to
credit service, distance nearest market, farmer cooperative, annual farm income, and access to
extension service of the household head are those variables significantly influence adoption
melkam sorghum variety(technology). Except distance from the main market and age of
household head, all other variables were positive and significant influence on melkam
sorghum variety.

This study has identified key factors that determine improved (melkam) sorghum variety
adoption in the study area. Melkam sorghum variety adoption influenced by several factors
including demographic, socio-economic, institutional, and market factors, which reflect
adverse effects on improved sorghum crop production of the society as a whole in the study
area.

5.3 Conclusion

The main objective of this study was to analyze adoption improved (melkam) sorghum
variety and its impact on food security of smallholder farmers in Babile District East
Harerghe zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia.

This study founded that out of sampled respondents, about 47.5% sample household were
melkam sorghum variety adopters and 52.5% were non-adopters in the study area. This
suggests that nearly half of the sample were adopt the melkam sorghum variety because this
variety has more profitable production than local or farmer varieties in the study area.

The education level of household was influences melkam variety adoption positively; this
implies that educated farmers may be more aware of the benefits of modern technologies and
17
may have a greater ability to search up-to-date information. Landholding size of the
household was other important factors, which was found to significant and have positive
correction with adoption of melkam sorghum variety. This likely reflects the importance of a
large land area among smallholder farmer for the cultivation of a new generation of crop
varieties. Furthermore, the result found that total annual farm income influences improved
(melkam) sorghum variety adoption positively; this reflect that households with a high annual
farm income were likely to purchase improved variety or other essential agricultural inputs.
This investigation conclude that resource endowments of the household had played a
significant role in the adoption of melkam sorghum variety.

Access to extension service, access to credit, and the social cooperative were also positively
influenced melkam sorghum variety adoption. This is reflect that, access to credit service
commands the farmer's financial resources to buy inputs. Smallholder farmers who were
more access to extension service were get information on technology utilization and farm
advice, this support them to decide to participate in the adoption of improved agricultural
technology. Therefore, institutional support is one of the enabling environments for the
adoption of melkam sorghum variety. On the other hand age and market, distance has
negative influence on adoption of improved (melkam) sorghum variety. This study reflects
that improved (melkam) sorghum variety adoption is a function of demographic, socio-
economic, institutional and market factors.

5.4. Recommendation

Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were forwarded

F The current adoption status of melkam sorghum variety was 47.5% from sample
respondent this suggests that nearly half of the sample were adopt the melkam
sorghum variety. Melkam sorghum variety showed significant yield production than
local varieties. Agricultural and natural resource office at the district and other
development partner should integrated to sustain the adoption of melkam sorghum
variety.

F Education office incorporated with the agriculture office should make the possible
way of delivering adult education for the smallholder farmers (user).

F Access to extension service was among the important variable that positively
influenced the adoption of melkam sorghum variety. This indicates extension agents

18
 facilitate improved (melkam) sorghum variety adoption. Therefore, to sustain the
positive contribution of the extension service government should improve the
knowledge & skills of extension personnel or development agent at the kebele level

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