Abstract —
Wheat plays crucial role in addressing food
security problems in Ethiopia. Increasing wheat production
and productivity depend on use of improved varieties in
which farmer’s access to information about improved wheat
which involves, sources and availability of the different
varieties, is critical factor. This study was, therefore,
conducted with an objective of examining factors that
influence probability of wheat growing farmer’s access to
information about improved wheat varieties using data
collected from 1611 farm households from major wheat
growing regions of Ethiopia. Logistic regression model were
employed and several socioeconomic and institutional factors
such as wheat growing experience, age, education level,
family size, total livestock owned (measured in TLU), model
farmer, farmers contact with extension workers, mobile
telephone and radio ownership significantly influenced
probability of farmer’s access to improved wheat varieties.
The study conclude proportion of farmer who don’t have
information about improved wheat varieties is very high
therefore, it is recommended that the extension system has to
expand span of its operation to reach all farmers with
information about improved wheat varieties. For doing this
targeted radio program on wheat to provide information for
wheat farmers will have to be enhanced. Mobile telephone
service has to be expanded and strengthened in areas where
there is limited access as farmers who have owned mobile
telephone have higher probability of accessing information
about improved wheat varieties
