Determinants Of Potato Productivity In Case Of Jeldu And Chalia Districts, West Showa Zone, Oromia Regio

Abstract

This study investigates the determinants of potato productivity in the Jeldu and Chelia woreda,West Shoa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia, focusing on two districts: Jaldu and Chalia. Using primary data from 154 randomly selected potato farmers and employing an Stochastic regression analysis (SRA) regression model, the research identifies key factors affecting productivity. The results highlight that irrigation, improved seed varieties, land size, soil quality, fertilizer use, modern ploughing techniques, sowing time, and farmer training significantly influence potato yields. Conversely, factors such as farming experience, age, oxen usage, and education level have also effects potato productivity. The findings emphasize the need for improved access to irrigation, quality seeds, mechanized ploughing, targeted training programs, and better fertilizer distribution. The study provides actionable policy recommendations to enhance productivity and support smallholder farmers, contributing to food security and economic development in Ethiopia by proving the agricultural inputs and training farmers to improve the agricultural technology specially to improve the mode of ploughing. Additionally the soil quality and irrigation schemes must gate attention from the government policy action to increase the productivity of potato beyond the study area.