Determinants of smallholder’s farmers’ adoption of improved coffee varieties in southwest Ethiopia

Coffee is an important cash crop produced by many Ethiopian farmers and has a significant influence on the households and country's economy and employment opportunities. The objective of this study was to identify improved coffee variety distributed in the study area and factors determining smallholder farmers’ adoption of improved coffee varieties. It was conducted at Shishoende, Gimbo, Yeki and Debub-Bench districts of southwest Ethiopia region. Coffee is produced in the study area by majority allocating large area of land in home garden and semi-forest. Households in the study area produce a mean coffee bean yield of 189.63kg and mean income of 53,772.49 ETB in 2016 E.C. Improved coffee varieties are adopted by majorities 63.5% of the sample households that distributed by research center, district agricultural office, universities, NGOS and private investor. Varieties disseminated in the area includes 74110, 74112, Gesha, K-one, Catimore, 7451, Robusta and F-59. Farmers in the study area evaluate varieties they demand based on yield advantage, Fast growth, wider canopy, early maturity of cherry, cherry quality and consumer demand, disease and pest resistance and have indicated their perception differences between varieties. Distance from market, coffee production experience and extension agent contact positively and age of household head negatively affect farmers adoption of improved coffee varieties. Local government, research centers, should work on accessing disease resistant, more productive improved coffee varieties for farmer in the area. It need much researches for highlands with higher elevation and lowlands with very low elevation.