Abstract:
This study focuses on the determinants of adoption of improved potato varieties in Kersa district,
Oromia National Region State, Ethiopia. Specifically, this study was initiated to analyze factors
influencing adoption of improved potato varieties and to determine the intensity of adoption of
improved potato varieties using cross-sectional data. The data were collected from 200 sample
households using multistage sampling procedure. The data were analyzed using descriptive
statistics and econometric model. The finding showed that 127 were adopters of improved potato
varieties while the remaining 73 were non-adopters. The results of the first hurdle indicated that
education level, farm income, access to irrigation, access to extension services and lnon-farm
income were positively and significantly influenced the adoption of improved potato varieties. In
the second hurdle model, lnFarm income, access to irrigation, non-farm income and
memberships to agricultural cooperatives have positively and significantly influenced the
intensity of adoption of improved potato varieties. This study concludes that socio-economic and
institutional factors play vital role in determining the improved potato varieties adoption and
intensity of adoption in the study area. Therefore, paying close attention to those significant
variables that enhance adoption and intensity of adoption of improved potato varieties so as to
increases production and productivity of farmers is vital in the study area
