Abstract

The aim of this study is to learn more about the status and factors that influence the uptake of improved rice varieties in the Fogera plain, a well-known rice-growing area in Ethiopia. A total of 155 rice-producing households were chosen through a systematic random sampling method. Simple descriptive statistics like mean, frequency, percentage, and standard deviation were utilized to characterize the sample households, while a binary logistic regression model was used to investigate the relevant influencing factors. This study confirms that despite the availability of a number of improved rice varieties assumed to be suitable for the study area, the uptake status of these varieties was found to be very low (16%). The Shaga variety is exempted as it has higher acceptance and compets with the local X Jigna based on different rice traits. According to the logistic regression model results, some variables, such as household heads' age, education level, rice farming experience, land ownership, and road and credit accessibility all contributed significantly to the lower uptake of many improved rice varieties and the dominance of the X Jigna rice cultivar. Hence, based on the findings of this study, providing youth-oriented extension service, implementing farmers' field school, improving road infrastructure, and devising research procedures on variety development that consider farmers' preferences are recommended to have a wider use of rice technological innovation in conjunction with other institutional innovations. These will improve the lives of numerous rice-growing farmers and the national economy.

Key words: Oryza sativa L, X Jigna, Shaga, uptake status, Fogera plain, rice-growing farmers.