Impact of Rural Out-Migration on Agricultural Technology Adoption of Rural Households in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Using the new economics labor migration theory as a theoretical framework and the multinomial treatment effects negative binomial regression as an analytical model in southern Ethiopia, this study investigated the effects of rural out-migration on the intensity of agricultural technology adoption. In the year 2021, data were collected from 415 sample houses using stratified random sampling. Regression analysis showed that while the influence of migration from rural to urban areas is negligible, participation in international migration greatly increases the likelihood of technology adoption in rural families by 38.9%. The intensity of agricultural technology adoption by rural households is negatively and significantly correlated with male-headed households and household age, while the frequency of extension visits, non-farm participation, saving, membership in cooperatives, sales of livestock, and tropical livestock unit are positively and significantly related to the intensity of agricultural technology adoption. The outcome is consistent with the labor migration theory's risk and credit hypotheses. To encourage the adoption of agricultural technology and stop the recent surge of rural out-migration in southern Ethiopia, policymakers should provide access to capital, public services, and viable off-farm employment in rural areas.