Exploring key drivers affecting adoption decision and intensity of cassava technology: evidence from cassava growers in Southern Ethiopia

Cassava is an important crop for ensuring African’s food security and livelihoods. However, limited technology adoption has reduced its productivity across the continent, especially in sub-Saharan African countries. The study investigated the key drivers affecting the adoption decision and intensity of adoption of cassava technologies in Sodo Zuria, Offa, and Kindo Koysha Woredas, Southern Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data collected from 1040 rural cassava producers by employing a three-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and double hurdle regression model were used to analyze the data. The results showed that 39.6% of the sampled farmers adopted cassava technologies. The double hurdle model results revealed that cassava technology adoption decision negatively associated with exposure to media and mobile ownership. Moreover, the intensity of cassava technology adoption was positively related to farm size, cooperative membership, and on-farm income while negatively related to the market access, tropical livestock unit (TLU), and off-farm income. To boost the yield and productivity of cassava crops, this study recommends the provision of improved cassava technologies, dissemination of timely information, and strengthening the cooperative membership will empower the producers to adopt modern techniques, ultimately leading to an increase in cassava crop yield and productivity.