[01] Gezahagn Kudama, Department of Agricultural Economics, Wollega University, Shambu Campus, Shambu, Ethiopia.

Wheat is the higher-ranked valuable cereal crops grown in Horo district mainly for improving households’ income and food security. Despite Horo district is high potential for wheat production, wheat improved technology adoption is far behind in the area. The objective of this study is therefore to identify determinants of improved wheat varieties adoption and their likelihood influence on improved wheat varieties’ adoption in Horo district, based on data generated from 151 random sampled farm households. The probit model result depicts that educational level, non/off-farm income, having variety information, access extensions and credit services, increase the likelihood of improved wheat varieties adoption. Whereas, remoteness from output market, decrease the adoption of improved wheat varieties. Furthermore, the findings of the study shows that shortage of improved wheat variety supply, lack of credit, timely availability and poor resistance to disease of improved wheat variety, cost of fertilizer, and improved wheat variety seed are the main constraints hampering improved wheat variety adoption. Accordingly, providing farmers with capacity building training on agricultural related improved technology adoption, expanding and promoting agricultural inputs’ credit, improving frequency of extension visits, creating reliable information and awareness about improved farm technology, and expanding infrastructures like rural road networks and timely agricultural inputs supply will increase farmers’ decision to adopt improved wheat varieties in the area.

Adoption, Binary Probit, Improved Wheat Varieties, Smallholders

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