Abstract:
Adopting improved agricultural technology is one of the instruments to overcome the current low
agricultural productivity and ensuring household food security. There is, however, limited
empirical evidence on the adoption and impacts of adoption of improved maize varieties grown
by smallholder farmers. Consequently, the study examined the impact of Limu maize variety
adoption on rural households’ food security in Dale Wabera District. Qualitative and
quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. A Multi-stage sampling
technique was employed to select 319 households for primary data collection. The data were
analyzed using descriptive statistics, double hurdle model and Propensity score matching
techniques. A double hurdle model was used to analyze the determinants of adoption and
adoption intensity of Limu maize variety, Propensity score matching was used to investigate the
impact of Limu maize variety adoption on rural household food security. The result from first
hurdle model indicates that, Limu maize variety adoption was positively and significantly
influenced by family size of the household, education level of the household head, total land size,
livestock ownership, frequency of extension contact and membership in a farmers’ cooperative.
The result from truncated regression model revealed that intensity of Limu maize variety
adoption was affected by livestock ownership, membership in a farmers’ cooperative, frequency
of extension contact and distance to the main market. The result of Propensity score shows a
positive and statistically significant mean difference between adopters and non-adopters in terms
of daily calorie intake per adult equivalent. The average treatment effect on the treated shows
that the daily calorie intake per adult equivalent was 458.9 Kcal implying adopters of Limu
maize variety consume 458.9 Kcal per adult equivalent higher than non-adopters. It is therefore
recommended that wider supply and distribution of Limu maize variety has to be prioritized to
improve food insecurity in the study areas. In this regard, it is better if concerned government
institutions, other non-governmental organizations and private companies create a sustainable
seed supply chain in the study areas. In addition, to sustain the positive impact of Limu maize
variety, emphasis should be given to remove the major obstacles hindering households’ adoption
of Limu maize variety in the study area.
