Analysis of Dairy Farm Management Practices and Drivers of Technology Adoption: Insights from Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

This study is focused on analysing dairy technology adoption and associated factors among rural households in Basona Werana Woreda, North Shewa zone of Amhara Region. The study selected 252 households using multi-stage sampling technique. Both descriptive and econometric analyses were employed to analyse the data collected using structured interview. Multivariate Probit regression model was applied to examine the derivers of dairy technology adoption in the study area. The study showed mixed results in terms of households adopting the different components of dairy technology. Predominant portions of the sample households adopted one or more of the improved housing conditions, improved feed and regular vaccination by 84.86%, 54.76% and 79.28%, respectively. However, in terms of utilization of the technologies, a significant proportion of adopters practiced a low level of utilization in each of the cases. Contrary to the results above, only 44.84% and
24.21% of the sample households adopted improved breeds and Artificial Insemination services, respectively. The multivariate probit regression results showed that livestock asset in TLU, awareness and training about dairy technology, education of the household head, dairy farm experience, and membership to farmers’ cooperatives had positive and significant effects on the adoption of dairy technologies while household size and dependency ratio have negative influence on the adoption of dairy technologies. The study sheds light on the need to develop farmers’ cooperatives, training and education as well as family planning tailored to the context of rural households in order to enhance dairy technology adoption in the study area.