Factors Influencing The Adoption of Improved Wheat Technologies in Egypt

Agricultural development is a crucial issue in developing countries, where many nations face challenges due to underdevelopment in this sector. In Egypt, the agricultural sector serves as a source of income for approximately 53% of the population and provides 20.3% of jobs, with wheat being the most important cereal crop. Despite increased production in recent years, this growth does not meet the rising local demand, leading to a higher import bill. Achieving sustainable development goals requires intensifying agriculture and reducing food loss through new technologies. Despite limited information on the costs and benefits of these technologies, the study focused on the factors influencing the adoption of agricultural technologies and the level of adoption for wheat crops in Egypt. The study relied on data from a random sample of 1,266 households across various Egyptian governorates during two phases: 2020/2021 and 2022/2023, using the Double-Hurdle (DH) model to estimate the rate of farmers' adoption of improved wheat varieties. Results showed an increase in both the rate and degree of adoption in most governorates in the second year, reflecting the effectiveness of dissemination methods and farmers’ interest in new varieties. It also found that cultivated land area, education level, and agricultural extension services positively influence adoption decisions. The study recommends encouraging farmers to adopt technology and activating the role of agricultural extension services.