Adoption and intensity of pearl millet technology packages in drought-prone areas of the Waghimra Zone, Ethiopia: A transition pathway for assuring food security

Abstract

Pearl millet, a climate-resilient crop, is advocated for combating food insecurity in drought-prone areas. To that end, the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute and agricultural extensions have been instrumental in promoting pearl millet technology packages. However, a more detailed understanding of the adoption and impact of these packages on the food security of farm households in Ethiopia is needed. This study investigated the factors influencing the adoption of pearl millet technology packages and their impact on food security in drought-prone areas of the Waghimra Zone. Data were collected from 172 farmers through systematic random sampling in 2018. Double-hurdle and generalized propensity score approaches were employed. The results from the double-hurdle regression revealed that gender, education, age, number of oxen, extension services, training, distance to the primary market, and participation in farm field demonstrations were the primary factors influencing adoption decisions and the intensity of pearl millet technology packages. The analysis using generalized propensity scores emphasized that adopting pearl millet technology packages had a significant positive effect on the food security of farm households. Therefore, research institutes and extension agents should pay special attention to popularizing pearl millet technology packages to increase household food security in Ethiopia and similar contexts.