Farmers Decisions and Determinants of Crop Rotations With Lupin: The Case of West Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Using lupin as a break crop and for soil fertility improvement is one of the practices to enhance productivity and improve soil fertility in Ethiopian conditions. However, the use of this practice by smallholder farmers is limited. Therefore, the major objective of this study was to empirically examine factors influencing farmers' decision to allocate land for lupin crop production as a break crop in North Western Amhara Region of Ethiopia. In this study, stratified sampling procedure was used to select 253 sample households from four Districts (137 household who use lupin in their crop rotations and 116 that do not). The required data were collected using interviews with a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing farmers' decision to allocate land for lupin production as a break crop. The results of the logit regression analysis indicate that family size, total farmland holdings and contacts with extension workers were the most important factors influencing the decision of the farmer to practice crop rotation with lupin. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the human capital through training and providing extension service to bring farmers' awareness to practice improved technologies and best indigenous knowledge.

Analyze Production, Utilization and Its Future Trends of Lupin in Ethiopia

“…In Ethiopia, the major production 44.61% of 416,759.00 quintals (2009/10), 53.28% of 443,705.05 quintals (2011/12) and 50.48% of 246,294.20 quintals (2017/18) were utilized for sales ( Figure 10). This result was confirmed to [8] and stated that consumption of lupin at the farm household level is limited (35%) due to a social taboo that says, "Lupin is for the poor and it is unsuitable nutrition". Therefore, farmers were not aware about the utilization customs the plant as a household consumption.…”

“…Finoteselam in the mid altitude of 2095 and 1935 m.a.s.l respectively and Kossober 1 and Kossober 2 in the high-altitude (relatively cold) of 2610 m.a.s.l.Similarly, Result by[8] supported that improved sweet lupin seed were recorded only at South Achefer (West Gojam) district due to interventions of Andassa Agricultural Research Center, but not in Machakel, Sekela (East Gojam) and Dera (South Gondar) districts due to lack of inputs and awareness.…”

“…In Amhara region, the majority of the productions were utilized for sales in 2009/10, 2011/12 and 2017/18 cropping seasons. Similarly, [8] reported that most farmers produce lupin for market and very few for livestock fattening at West Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Similarly, the utilization of Lupin in the regional level showed inconsistent trends as shown below (Figure 11).…”

“…Similarly, the present result showed inconsistent trends of production (q) and yields (q/ha) of Lupin in the country, regional and zonal level. According to [8], the higher linkage between farmers and extension workers, the more the information flows and the technological (knowledge) transfer from the latter to the former.…”

“…Lupin is relatively more tolerant to several abiotic stresses than other legumes, and has a high potential for the recovery of poor and polluted soils [7]. Beside to this, it is effective in raising soil fertility via symbiotic nitrogen fixation and mobilization of soil phosphorus [8].…”