IMPACT OF IMPROVED SORGHUM VARIETY(GIRNA-1) ADOPTION ON SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ FOOD SECURITY IN AMBASEL DISTRICT OF SOUTH WOLLO ZONE, AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA

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.