Seed Systems, Adoption, and Impact of Improved Crop Varieties on Household Food Security in Central Ethiopia
| dc.contributor.advisor | Degefa Tolossa (PhD Professor) | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Admasu Shibru (PhD) | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Dawit Alemu (PhD) | |
| dc.contributor.author | Tekeste Kifle | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-01-02T08:04:55Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-01-02T08:04:55Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023-06 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Seed systems encompass a variety of technologies, organizational structures, and market and nonmarket institutions that allow seeds to be accessed and used by smallholder farmers through both formal and informal systems. The role of seed systems in ensuring the food security of smallholder farmers has received little attention, and the factors that influence household food security are seed supply and adoption of certified seeds. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the seed systems, adoption, and impact of improved wheat, teff, and maize varieties on household food security in central Ethiopia. A pragmatism philosophical approach used both quantitative and qualitative data to deliver the best understanding of the research problem and research questions. The primary data was generated from 299 sample respondents selected using systematic random sampling techniques, 25 key informant interviews, and six focus group discussions. Secondary data was also used to supplement the primary data. The data were analyzed using econometric models and descriptive statistics. The logit model, multinomial logit model, and binary probit model were among the econometric models used to analyze the quantitative data. A propensity score matching (PSM) method was also used to estimate the impact of improved variety adoption on household food security. The Household Food Balance Model (HFBM), Household Food Consumption Score (FCS), and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), were used to investigate the status of household food security. The qualitative data were analyzed using stakeholder analysis to describe, categorize, narrate, and discuss. The findings revealed that a gap in the seed systems was inadequate certified seeds, inefficient extension service, limited seed distribution and marketing mechanisms, weak linkage among seed actors, low private sector participation, and a lack of a clear seed policy. The findings indicate that farmers have limited access to seeds from formal systems. It implies that about 18% of the households were food secure, 32% mild, 41% moderate, and 9% severely food insecure. The result showed that the mean daily calorie intake was 73% of the MRA. The PSM result revealed that the adoption of improved crop varieties had a significant and positive impact on food availability an average of 414 kcal/ day, a food consumption score of 5.14, and the yield increased by about 9.87 quintals per hectare than the non-adopters. In conclusion, the seed system has encountered numerous constraints that should be investigated further in order to decrease the limits and gaps, all actors’ linkages must be strengthened. The government should prioritize extension services, expanding access to certified seeds, market opportunities, and equipping competent farmers with knowledge. Policymakers and development partners are focusing on providing more effective agricultural services to overcome low adoption rates. In order to address food insecurity and strengthen the resilience of smallholder farmers, seed accessibility and the seed supply chain needed to be improved in the study area. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/1356 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Addis Ababa University | |
| dc.subject | Seed systems, Adoption, improved crop varieties, food security, Ethiopia | |
| dc.title | Seed Systems, Adoption, and Impact of Improved Crop Varieties on Household Food Security in Central Ethiopia | |
| dc.type | Thesis |