Determinants of Organic Fertilizer Adoption in Moretna Jeru District, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopia’s economy. It is responsible for 35.45% of the country’s total domestic output. This means that the sector is critical for enhancing the lives of the wider population. Despite its importance, Ethiopia’s agricultural sector produces little. The Ethiopian government has focused on increasing the usage of organic fertilizers to improve this and overall economic growth. Organic fertilizer use is still inadequate in most parts of Ethiopia, including Moretna Jeru District in North Shewa Zone, Amhara region. The main objective of this study was to investigate factors that influence the adoption (use) of organic fertilizer technology in Moretna Jeru District. For this study, primary data were acquired from 192 smallholder farmers who were chosen at random throughout the 2020/21 growing seasons. The factors influencing organic fertilizer adoption were investigated using a probit model. Farmers’ characteristics such as extension contact, number of livestock, landownership via title deed, and household size have a favorable and significant impact on organic fertilizer usage. Farmers should be encouraged to use manure technology. This would be attainable if the government, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders focused more on improving extension services and providing better information and training on the use of organic fertilizers.