Impact of Use of Chemical Fertiliser on Farm Households’ Risk Behaviour and Food Security in Ethiopia

Authors

  • Woldegebrial Zeweld Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Mekelle University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4017-5932
  • Assefa Hdgot Department of Agricultural and Resources Economics, Mekelle University
  • Gebresillasie Hailu Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Mekelle University

Keywords:

Chemical Fertilizer, Risk Behaviour, Food Security, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of chemical fertiliser on smallholder farmers’ risk behaviour and food security. The findings show that the severity of food security is lower for farmers who adopted chemical fertiliser (15%) than those who didn’t adopt (27%). Risk taking behaviour is predominantly associated with farmers who adopt chemical fertiliser. The number of food secure farmers was higher for risk taker farmers (54%) than that of risk averse farmers (46%). Use of chemical fertiliser significantly affected both farmers’ risk behaviour and food security. Therefore, it can be concluded that since risk averse farmers are less likely to adopt chemical fertiliser and other technological innovations, it entails improving their awareness through demonstration, teaching and public discussion.

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Published

2017-05-31

How to Cite

Zeweld, W., Hdgot, A., & Hailu, G. (2017). Impact of Use of Chemical Fertiliser on Farm Households’ Risk Behaviour and Food Security in Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 21(2). Retrieved from https://journal.aesonnigeria.org/index.php/jae/article/view/1048

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 2 (2017)

Section

General Extension and Teaching Methods