Abstract:
Sorghum is one of the dominant crops and is used as a source of food and income in the eastern
parts of Amhara region. Several yield-increasing and drought-resistant improved sorghum
varieties have been developed and released by research institutions to enhance small holder
farmers' food security. However, the adoption of these improved varieties was low and their
impact on household food security was not evaluated in the study area. Therefore, this study was
conducted to identify the determinants of smallholder farmers' adoption and intensity of adoption
of improved sorghum variety and to evaluate its impact on smallholder farmers' food security in
the study area. A multistage sampling technique was used to select total of 242 sample
households. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interview schedule, focused
group discussions and key informant interviews. Secondary data was collected from books,
articles and reports. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics,
as well as econometrics models like the double hurdle and endogenous switching regression
model. The first hurdle probit model result revealed that age of the household head, educational
level of the household head, farming experience, frequency of extension contacts, credit access,
cooperative membership and land holding size affected adoption of improved sorghum variety
significantly and positively whereas distance from the nearest market center affected it
significantly and negatively. The second hurdle truncated regression model estimation result
showed that family size, total livestock holding, cooperative membership, credit access and land
holding size affected farmers' intensity of adoption significantly and positively. The Endogenous
switching regression model estimation result showed that households' caloric intake would have
decreased by 277.7 Kcal/day/AE and their dietary diversity score would have decreased by 1.6 if
adopters had decided not to adopt. Non-adopter households’ caloric intake and dietary diversity
score would have increased by 170.7 Kcal/day/AE and score of 2.2 respectively if they had
decided to adopt. As a result, the adoption of improved sorghum variety had a positive impact on
household caloric intake and dietary diversity score. Therefore, district governmental
organizations and other stakeholders should encourage and promote the adoption of improved
sorghum variety to improve smallholder farmers' food security.
