Analysis of Farmers' Preferences for Teff Variety Traits Using a Choice Experiment Approach: The Case of Sebata Awas Woreda, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study investigated farmers’ preferences for teff variety traits and its determinants using a choice experiment approach in Sebeta Awas woreda. Most of previous studies have explored farmer preferences for Teff variety traits, many lacks geographic focus and Teff variety attributes like Yield, Disease Resistance and price. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the sample respondents for the study. Data was collected from 385 farmers through a structured survey instrument that included farmer demographics, farm household characteristics, and a choice experiment component. The choice experiment presented farmers with hypothetical scenarios featuring teff varieties described by key attributes: yield (quintal/hectare), disease resistance (low, medium, high), and price (Birr per kilogram). Farmers were asked to select the variety they would be most likely to plant in their fields. A two stage modeling approach was used to analyze the data. The first stage employed a multinomial probit choice model to estimate the average effects of variety and farmer’s characteristics on farmers' preferences. The second stage utilized a mixed logit choice model to account for heterogeneity in preferences across farmers. The findings of this study revealed three primary attributes shaping variety selection: high yield potential, disease resistance, and economic viability. Notably, education level, family size, and landholding size positively influenced the preference for high-yielding varieties. Additionally, access to crucial resources like irrigation, extension services, and market information played a significant role. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrated a greater openness to adopting new varieties among more experienced farmers. A key finding emerged regarding the interaction between yield potential and price. Farmers exhibited increased sensitivity to price as the potential yield of a variety grew. Additionally, the study identified a positive correlation between landholding size and the preference for disease resistant varieties. These insights contribute significantly to the understanding of economic factors influencing teff variety selection. This knowledge empowers policymakers, extension service providers, and seed developers to design targeted interventions that promote the adoption of improved teff varieties. Ultimately, such interventions hold the potential to enhance agricultural productivity, resilience, food security, and rural livelihoods for Ethiopian farmers.