Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Efrem Asfaw; Beza Erko

doi:doi:10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12

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Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Efrem Asfaw^*

, Beza Erko

Published in Reports (Volume 5, Issue 2)

Received: 16 April 2025 Accepted: 7 May 2025 Published: 16 June 2025

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Abstract

This study was aimed to identify the factors that influence smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt four different sustainable agricultural practices (i.e. improved variety, manure, soil and water conservation practices and herbicide) and the impact on income of smallholder farmers in Somodo watershed, Jimma zone. Multistage sampling procedure that involves a combination of purposive and random sampling procedures was employed. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 118 smallholder farmers in the watershed where integrated watershed management interventions were implemented by Jimma Agricultural Research Center from 2011-2018. A questionnaire was administered to the 118 selected smallholder farmers and quantitative data type were collected and used in this study. Descriptive statistics, a multivariate probit and Endogenous switching regression model were used to analyze the data. The study result shows that 25.51% of farmers apply manure on their farm plots in the watershed. Improved variety, soil and water management practices and herbicide are adopted by 35.63%, 42.91% and 12.15% of farmers, respectively. The finding of the study revealed that adoption of sustainable agricultural practices were determined by sex, age, cultivated land size, technical advice, tropical livestock unit, distance to main market, distance to agricultural extension agent office, plot distance, medium soil fertility, medium slope of land and red color of soil. The study concluded that the adoption of different sustainable agricultural practices in combination had a positive impact on income of smallholder farmers and their adoption was influenced by socioeconomic, institutional, and soil characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholders should pay due attention to empowering farmers to use different sustainable agricultural practices; improve soil health, increase crop productivity and income. The positive effect of technical advice on sustainable agricultural practice’s adoption suggests the need for increased accessibility of practical training mainly on preparing manure and compost, soil and water conservation practices and use of improved crops varieties.

Published in	Reports (Volume 5, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12
Page(s)	24-32
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Watershed, Adoption, Impact, Sustainable Agricultural Practices, Multivariate Probit Model, Endogenous Switching Regression Model

References

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[3]	Tesfaye A, Brouwer R, van der Zaag P, and Negatu W., 2016. Assessing the costs and benefits of improved land management practices in three watershed areas in Ethiopia. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 4(1): 20-29.
[4]	Taddese G, 2001. Land degradation: A challenge to Ethiopia. Environmental Management, 27: 815–824.
[5]	Hurni H, 1984. Land degradation, famine, and land resource scenarios in Ethiopia In: D. Pimentel (Ed.), World soil erosion and conservation, 27–62. Cam-bridge: Cambridge University Press IWMI. Rome, Italy.
[6]	Nicol A, Langan S, Victor M and Gonsalves J., 2015. Water-smart agriculture in East Africa. IWMI. Rome, Italy.
[7]	Kalkidan F, Yalemtsehay D, Gizaw T., 2017. Assessment of Woody and Non-Woody Fuel Biomass Resource Availability and Rate of Consumption in the Somodo Model Watershed South-Western Ethiopia. Jimma Agricultural Research center, Jimma, Ethiopia. Journal of Environment and Earth Science 7(4).
[8]	Tesfaye G, Debebe Y, Fikirie K., 2018. Soil Erosion Risk Assessment Using GIS Based USLE Model for Soil and Water Conservation Planning in Somodo Watershed, South West Ethiopia. Int J Environ Agric Res 4(5): 35-43.
[9]	Dorfman, J., 1996. Modeling multiple adoption decisions in joint framework. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 78, 547–557.
[10]	Kassie, M., Jaleta, M., Shiferaw, B., Mmbando, F., Mekuria, M., 2013. Adoption of interrelated sustainable agricultural practices in smallholder systems: evidence from rural Tanzania. Technol. Forecasting Soc. 80, 525–540.
[11]	Teklewold H., Kassie M., Shiferaw B. 2013. Adoption of Multiple Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Rural Ethiopia’, Journal of Agricultural Economics, 64 (3): 597–623.
[12]	Marra, G., Radice, R., Filippou, P., 2017. Regression spline bivariate probit models: a practical approach to testing for exogeneity. Commun. Stat. Simul. Comput. 46, 2283–2298.
[13]	Asfaw, S.; Kassie, M.; Simtowe, F.; Leslie, L., 2012. Poverty reduction effects of agricultural technology adoption: A micro-evidence from rural Tanzania. J. Dev. Stud. 2012, 48, 1288–1305.
[14]	Oyetunde-Usman, Z., Olagunju, K. O. and Ogunpaimo, O. R., 2021. Determinants of adoption of multiple sustainable agricultural practices among smallholder farmers in Nigeria. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 9(2), pp. 241-248.
[15]	Milkessa D., 2020. Analysis of Determinants of Adoption and Use Intensity of Organic Fertilizer in Ejere District, West Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia. A Thesis Submitted to Department of Economics in Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for Degree of Master Science in Economics (Economic Policy Analysis). Addis Ababa University.
[16]	Belete, A. A., 2022. Determinants of organic fertilizer adoption in moretna jeru district, northern Ethiopia. Advances in Agriculture, 2022(1), p. 9983782.

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APA Style

Asfaw, E., Erko, B. (2025). Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Reports, 5(2), 24-32. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12

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ACS Style

Asfaw, E.; Erko, B. Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Reports. 2025, 5(2), 24-32. doi: 10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12

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AMA Style

Asfaw E, Erko B. Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Reports. 2025;5(2):24-32. doi: 10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12

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@article{10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12,
  author = {Efrem Asfaw and Beza Erko},
  title = {Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia
},
  journal = {Reports},
  volume = {5},
  number = {2},
  pages = {24-32},
  doi = {10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.reports.20250502.12},
  abstract = {This study was aimed to identify the factors that influence smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt four different sustainable agricultural practices (i.e. improved variety, manure, soil and water conservation practices and herbicide) and the impact on income of smallholder farmers in Somodo watershed, Jimma zone. Multistage sampling procedure that involves a combination of purposive and random sampling procedures was employed. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 118 smallholder farmers in the watershed where integrated watershed management interventions were implemented by Jimma Agricultural Research Center from 2011-2018. A questionnaire was administered to the 118 selected smallholder farmers and quantitative data type were collected and used in this study. Descriptive statistics, a multivariate probit and Endogenous switching regression model were used to analyze the data. The study result shows that 25.51% of farmers apply manure on their farm plots in the watershed. Improved variety, soil and water management practices and herbicide are adopted by 35.63%, 42.91% and 12.15% of farmers, respectively. The finding of the study revealed that adoption of sustainable agricultural practices were determined by sex, age, cultivated land size, technical advice, tropical livestock unit, distance to main market, distance to agricultural extension agent office, plot distance, medium soil fertility, medium slope of land and red color of soil. The study concluded that the adoption of different sustainable agricultural practices in combination had a positive impact on income of smallholder farmers and their adoption was influenced by socioeconomic, institutional, and soil characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholders should pay due attention to empowering farmers to use different sustainable agricultural practices; improve soil health, increase crop productivity and income. The positive effect of technical advice on sustainable agricultural practice’s adoption suggests the need for increased accessibility of practical training mainly on preparing manure and compost, soil and water conservation practices and use of improved crops varieties.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

AU  - Efrem Asfaw
AU  - Beza Erko
Y1  - 2025/06/16
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12
T2  - Reports
JF  - Reports
JO  - Reports
SP  - 24
EP  - 32
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7146
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12
AB  - This study was aimed to identify the factors that influence smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt four different sustainable agricultural practices (i.e. improved variety, manure, soil and water conservation practices and herbicide) and the impact on income of smallholder farmers in Somodo watershed, Jimma zone. Multistage sampling procedure that involves a combination of purposive and random sampling procedures was employed. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 118 smallholder farmers in the watershed where integrated watershed management interventions were implemented by Jimma Agricultural Research Center from 2011-2018. A questionnaire was administered to the 118 selected smallholder farmers and quantitative data type were collected and used in this study. Descriptive statistics, a multivariate probit and Endogenous switching regression model were used to analyze the data. The study result shows that 25.51% of farmers apply manure on their farm plots in the watershed. Improved variety, soil and water management practices and herbicide are adopted by 35.63%, 42.91% and 12.15% of farmers, respectively. The finding of the study revealed that adoption of sustainable agricultural practices were determined by sex, age, cultivated land size, technical advice, tropical livestock unit, distance to main market, distance to agricultural extension agent office, plot distance, medium soil fertility, medium slope of land and red color of soil. The study concluded that the adoption of different sustainable agricultural practices in combination had a positive impact on income of smallholder farmers and their adoption was influenced by socioeconomic, institutional, and soil characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholders should pay due attention to empowering farmers to use different sustainable agricultural practices; improve soil health, increase crop productivity and income. The positive effect of technical advice on sustainable agricultural practice’s adoption suggests the need for increased accessibility of practical training mainly on preparing manure and compost, soil and water conservation practices and use of improved crops varieties.

VL  - 5
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Efrem Asfaw

Department of Agricultural Economics, Jimma Agricultural Research Centre, Jimma, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6569-702X
Beza Erko

Department of Agricultural Economics, Jimma Agricultural Research Centre, Jimma, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-4315-2859

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APA Style

Asfaw, E., Erko, B. (2025). Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Reports, 5(2), 24-32. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12

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ACS Style

Asfaw, E.; Erko, B. Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Reports. 2025, 5(2), 24-32. doi: 10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12

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AMA Style

Asfaw E, Erko B. Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Reports. 2025;5(2):24-32. doi: 10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12,
  author = {Efrem Asfaw and Beza Erko},
  title = {Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia
},
  journal = {Reports},
  volume = {5},
  number = {2},
  pages = {24-32},
  doi = {10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.reports.20250502.12},
  abstract = {This study was aimed to identify the factors that influence smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt four different sustainable agricultural practices (i.e. improved variety, manure, soil and water conservation practices and herbicide) and the impact on income of smallholder farmers in Somodo watershed, Jimma zone. Multistage sampling procedure that involves a combination of purposive and random sampling procedures was employed. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 118 smallholder farmers in the watershed where integrated watershed management interventions were implemented by Jimma Agricultural Research Center from 2011-2018. A questionnaire was administered to the 118 selected smallholder farmers and quantitative data type were collected and used in this study. Descriptive statistics, a multivariate probit and Endogenous switching regression model were used to analyze the data. The study result shows that 25.51% of farmers apply manure on their farm plots in the watershed. Improved variety, soil and water management practices and herbicide are adopted by 35.63%, 42.91% and 12.15% of farmers, respectively. The finding of the study revealed that adoption of sustainable agricultural practices were determined by sex, age, cultivated land size, technical advice, tropical livestock unit, distance to main market, distance to agricultural extension agent office, plot distance, medium soil fertility, medium slope of land and red color of soil. The study concluded that the adoption of different sustainable agricultural practices in combination had a positive impact on income of smallholder farmers and their adoption was influenced by socioeconomic, institutional, and soil characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholders should pay due attention to empowering farmers to use different sustainable agricultural practices; improve soil health, increase crop productivity and income. The positive effect of technical advice on sustainable agricultural practice’s adoption suggests the need for increased accessibility of practical training mainly on preparing manure and compost, soil and water conservation practices and use of improved crops varieties.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Adoption and Impact of Sustainable Agricultural Practices Among Smallholder Farmers in Somodo Watershed Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

AU  - Efrem Asfaw
AU  - Beza Erko
Y1  - 2025/06/16
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12
T2  - Reports
JF  - Reports
JO  - Reports
SP  - 24
EP  - 32
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7146
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.reports.20250502.12
AB  - This study was aimed to identify the factors that influence smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt four different sustainable agricultural practices (i.e. improved variety, manure, soil and water conservation practices and herbicide) and the impact on income of smallholder farmers in Somodo watershed, Jimma zone. Multistage sampling procedure that involves a combination of purposive and random sampling procedures was employed. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 118 smallholder farmers in the watershed where integrated watershed management interventions were implemented by Jimma Agricultural Research Center from 2011-2018. A questionnaire was administered to the 118 selected smallholder farmers and quantitative data type were collected and used in this study. Descriptive statistics, a multivariate probit and Endogenous switching regression model were used to analyze the data. The study result shows that 25.51% of farmers apply manure on their farm plots in the watershed. Improved variety, soil and water management practices and herbicide are adopted by 35.63%, 42.91% and 12.15% of farmers, respectively. The finding of the study revealed that adoption of sustainable agricultural practices were determined by sex, age, cultivated land size, technical advice, tropical livestock unit, distance to main market, distance to agricultural extension agent office, plot distance, medium soil fertility, medium slope of land and red color of soil. The study concluded that the adoption of different sustainable agricultural practices in combination had a positive impact on income of smallholder farmers and their adoption was influenced by socioeconomic, institutional, and soil characteristics. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholders should pay due attention to empowering farmers to use different sustainable agricultural practices; improve soil health, increase crop productivity and income. The positive effect of technical advice on sustainable agricultural practice’s adoption suggests the need for increased accessibility of practical training mainly on preparing manure and compost, soil and water conservation practices and use of improved crops varieties.

VL  - 5
IS  - 2
ER  -

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