Socio-economic analysis of conditions for adoption of tractor hiring services among smallholder farmers, Northwestern Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to understand the socio-economic and cultural conditions of crop cultivation practices of farmers; the willingness of farmers towards tractor use and the factors that affect the start of tractor hiring services (THS). A total of 148 households were considered for the survey. Both purposive and stratified sampling techniques were employed disaggregated by sex, wealth status and soil types owned. Data collection techniques included structured interview and focused group discussion. Both descriptive and econometrics techniques were employed to analyze the data. The findings showed that labor shortage (69.7%), high rate of weed infestation (26.5%) and shortages of herbicides (27%) were the main challenges of weeding in the study area. Likewise, shortage of oxen (52%) and labor (43.3%) were found to be challenges related to ploughing practice. About 80% of the sampled farmers were willing to use THS if available in the study area. The econometric model result showed that being a model farmer, sex of a household, land holding, adult female labor endowment, oxen endowment and experience in use of herbicides were positively and significantly affecting farmers' willingness to use THS. However, age of the head of a household negatively affected the willingness to use THS. From the results of the study it is possible to conclude that since oxen ownership and oxen ploughing practice are deeply rooted in Ethiopian tradition, awareness creation and close follow up are required at all levels for adoption of mechanization.