Factors Influencing the Adoption of Improved Forage Varieties in Gursum District, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia.

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, scarce feed and nutrition significantly constrain livestock production. While various improved forage species have been developed to address feed shortages, the adoption of these technologies varies due to socio-economic, institutional, demographic, and biophysical factors. This study focuses on identifying the factors influencing the adoption of improved forage technologies at the household level in Gursum District, where forage is available. Out of 25 kebeles, 15 were selected based on higher forage production, and 6 were chosen randomly for the study. A total of 151 farmers participated, using key informative interviews and focus group discussions to complement quantitative data analyses, including chi-square tests and binary logistic regression. Results show that 63 farmers adopted improved forage, while 88 did not. The regression analysis indicated that education, farm size, access to credit, extension services, number of livestock, and water availability positively influenced adoption, whereas market distance had a negative effect. The study highlights the agricultural extension service as a key barrier to adoption and suggests the need for better stakeholder linkages to promote the diffusion of improved forage technologies tailored to smallholder farmers’ needs. Ensuring sustained adoption involves addressing the identified influencing factors.