FACTORS AFFECTING ADOPTION OF IMPROVED BREAD WHEAT VARIETIES BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN AWBARE DISTRICT, SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) is one of the most important cereal crops grown in Awbare district mainly for improving households’ income and food security.The aim of this study was therefore to assess the adoption status and identify determinants of adoption of improved bread wheat varieties in Awbare district, Somali Regional State. This study considered 160 randomly selected sample households for face to face interview. Key informants interviews and focus group discussions were used in order to supplement the data collected through interview from individual households. Quantitative data analysis methods such as descriptive statistics (chi-square; t-test) and binary logistic regression model were employed and then the study was supported with qualitative data analyses. The total respondents, 71(44.3%) were adopters while 89 (55.6%) were non-adopters. The binary logit estimation result indicated that farm size, extension service, perception of wheat yield have positive and statistically significant influence on adoption of at least one of the three recommended xiv varieties. On the other hand sex, age, distance from market and distance from development agent’s office have negative and significant influence with adoption of improved bread wheat varieties. The result from this study suggests that the agricultural extension service in the study area was highlighted as a major impediment to improved bread wheat production and productivity. Therefore, the extension package program with proper linkage of stakeholders will promote agricultural development adoption of bread wheat varieties. In addition to this, the result shows that the new improved bread wheat variety is more likely to be adopted by farmers with large farms. This implies need of research, extension, and planning agencies to be sensitive to the needs of smaller farmers through developing and disseminating technologies and strategies that are relevant to their needs. Generally the result from this study suggests that the adoption of wheat varieties should be sustained by paying attention and moving along with those variables which influenced adoption significantly.