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Social networks and diffusion of agricultural technology: the case of sorghum in Metema Woreda, North Gondar, Ethiopia

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Title Social networks and diffusion of agricultural technology: the case of sorghum in Metema Woreda, North Gondar, Ethiopia
 
Creator Molla, D.K.
 
Subject RURAL DEVELOPMENT
SORGHUM
 
Description Information on technology adoption and diffusion in a given society is important for focusing future research, extension, government and NGO - led development efforts aiming at benefiting the majority of Ethiopian farmers. The identification of the roles of social networks that influence technology adoption and diffusion is important to identify and design measures to remove or alleviate the constraints affecting diffusion of innovation. This study was undertaken in Metema woreda of North Gondar Zone, Amhara National Regional State and has been designed to throw light on the existing formal and informal social networks among re-settlers. The extent of functional contributions of social networks and their gender implications in the diffusion of sorghum technology, and identification of options for enhancing the role and sustainability of these social networks for promoting agricultural innovation in the woreda was the focus of this study. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 2 PAs out of 18 PAs in the woreda and 160 sample households from these 2 PAs. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used to obtain reliable information from primary and secondary sources. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, T-test and chi-square test. The this study variations were observed between previous and recent settlers as well as male and female headed households in terms of membership in different economically oriented groups and associations and participation in social networks. The binary logistic regression model out put showed that marital status, family size, number of close friends and membership in cooperatives were found to have positive and significant influence on the adoption of improved sorghum varieties. Likewise, education and years of residence in the village have negative and significant influences on the dependent variable.The study also revealed that, relatives, friends and neighbors were the most important nodes of information source, seed sources and mutual support; and influential networks in the adoption and diffusion process of the study area. To strengthen these influential social networks the organization and empowering of these networks and promoting into community based self help farmers groups with genuine support and supervision from governmental and non-governmental organization is imperative.
Canadian International Development Agency
 
Date 2010-02-11T14:19:52Z
2010-02-11T14:19:52Z
2008-06
 
Type Thesis
 
Identifier Molla, D.K. Haramaya University, Haramaya (Ethiopia). 2008. Social networks and diffusion of agricultural technology: the case of sorghum in Metema Woreda, North Gondar, Ethiopia. MSc thesis (Rural Development). 131p. Haramaya (Ethiopia): Haramaya University.
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/645
 
Language en
 
Publisher Haramaya University