Adoption of Forage Innovation in Smallholder Farming Systems: A Case Study in Kalu Woreda Of South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Livestock development and production is constrained and challenged by recurrent
feed shortage. Forage innovation is proposed to minimize feed shortage for the
livestock sector and it is also recommended to control soil erosion and land
degradation. Even if the level of adoption is limited, the introduction' of the
innovation is not a recent phenomenon in the country. The main emphasis of this
study is to assess major feed resources and to identify determinant factors,
constraints and challenges of adoption of forage innovation in smallholder
farming systems. Kalu is one of the districts where smallholder farming system is
practiced. It is one of the 15 administrative districts in South Wollo Zone of
Amhara Regional State.
In the study, analysis was made using primary data collected from 120 sample
households selected through systematic random sampling from purposively
selected six Kebeles. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data
collected from the sample households using structured questionnaire was
supplemented by data collected from key informants and focus group
discussants. Descriptive statistics and statistical analysis (chi-square and ttests)
were used to describe the sample households' socio- economic, institutional
and adoption characteristics; and to test statistical significance of variables that
influence the households' adoption decisions. In addition to the statistical tests a
logit model was employed to identify determinant factors in adoption of forage
innovation.
The major feed resources identified were crop residues, weeds, aftermath and
grazing pastures. The smallholders manage and control feed resources through
collecting and piling crop residues and hays.
Forage adoption is started 25 years before in the district. The land allocated and
the priority given to grow forage species is limited. The adoption decision is
mainly constrained and challenged by uncontrolled grazing and water shortage.
Labor shortage, land shortage, literacy le vel; market access, credit delivery, and
forage seed have limited impact to challenge and constrain adoption of forage
innovation.
The logit result shows that from different factors hypothesized to determine
adoption of forage innovation, dairy production, beef fattening, contact with
extension agents, forage related training, inviting farmers to grow forage species,
distance from towns, water and free grazing are found to be significant. The use
of cross-bred cows in the dairy production activities has positive and determinant
effect on adoption of the technology so that the shift to improved- bred should be
a sustainable endeavor. The result also has implication for policy makers,
researchers, policy implementers and non- governmental agencies to take their
parts in minimizing the constraints and in enhancing the potential for adoption of
forage innovation so that the productivity of the livestock sector is increasing.
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Keywords
Forage Innovation in Smallholder