Author(s): Guta Bukero

Abstract: Realizing the growing importance of maize in the country’s crop production and food security, significant research efforts have been made to develop high yielding varieties and disseminate to smallholder farmers to enhance food security in the country. The study examined the varietal turnover using farmer self-identification and DNA fingerprinting and determinants of maize cultivars turnover in Ethiopia. Secondary data from the household survey data collected by Central Statistical Agency and DNA fingerprinting identified for maize varieties were used in the analysis. To analyze the maize cultivars varietal turnover, a weighted average age Index (WA) was used. The Weighted Average Age for farmer self-identification was compared with DNA fingerprinting in order to check whether the result from DNA fingerprinting approach is different. The multiple linear regression models were used in identifying determinants of maize cultivars varietal turnover. The findings of the study indicate that maize Weighted Age was about 12 years, whereas, based on DNA fingerprinting analysis it was about 11 years in Ethiopia for the crop year 2015.

Pages: 12-21 | Views: 163 | Downloads: 94

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