Determinants of Varietal Replacement of Haricot Bean by Farmers in Boricha District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Seed is a fundamental input in crop production, which plays a significant role in enhancing productivity. Associated
with seed, the choice and the decision to replace crop varieties in use are critical to increase productivity. This study
examined determinants of varietal replacement among farmers producing Haricot bean varieties in Boricha district.
Four kebele administrations and 162 sample respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure and
data were collected by using a structured questionnaire. The findings show that improved haricot bean varieties
promoted by the extension system were released during the last 6 to 12 years. Farmers mainly grow old varieties and
hence varietal replacement is low. From total sample respondents, 77% had grown varieties that were released from
research centers in the past 6 to 12 years whereas the remaining 23% had grown Red Wolaita, which was released
four and half decades ago and now considered as a local variety. Out of 162 farmers, 72% of sampled farmers
replaced the old variety by Hawassa Dume, which was released in 2008 and is the most recent variety available in the
district. The Logistic regression model showed that age of household head, size of landholding, market price of
varieties used for replacement, livestock ownership measured in Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU), availability of
recently released varieties, participation on extension demonstration, and perception about yield of varieties used for
replacement significantly affected varietal replacement decisions. Hence, it is important to enhance resource
endowment of households, improve access for recently released varieties, integrate growers with high value market
and organize extension demonstration of improved varieties to facilitate varietal replacement.