ADOPTION AND INTENSITY OF FERTILISER AND HERBICIDE USE IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Tobit and Heckman analysis is used to investigate the factors which influence the adoption and intensity of use of fertiliser and herbicide on smallholder farms growing wheat and tef in the East and West Shewa tones of the central highlands of Ethiopia. Primary data on personal, household and farm characteristics was collected from a random sample of 200 farmers. Results indicate that structural factors—in particular oxen ownership, distance to market and region—are the main determinants of adoption and intensity of use of the technologies rather than personal characteristics—such as age and gender—extension activity or attitudes to price and risk.