ANALYZING ACCESS TO FERTILIZER FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMERS: THE CASE OF WOGERA DISTRICT, CENTRAL GONDAR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Inorganic fertilizer is a key input in boosting agricultural production in Ethiopia. Hence, this study attempted to analyze access to fertilizer not well accessible and information gaps in Wogera District, Central Gondar zone, Ethiopia. Probability sampling techniques were employed to select sampled respondents. A total of 150 sample respondents were selected for interview. In line with this, combinations of data collection techniques were employed to gather qualitative and quantitative data for the study. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics like t-test, and x xv 2 -test were employed to see mean and percentage difference between both late access and on time access. The result of the study indicated that about 65% of the sample respondents were late access of inorganic fertilizer, while 35% accessed the fertilizer on time. Accordingly, the result of the descriptive statics show that from the total fifteen variables twelve of them show statistically significant with mean differences at 1%, 5% and 10% level of significance. Binary Logit regression model results showed that, six (6) variables were found statically significant in the access to inorganic fertilizer at 1%, 5% and 10% level of significance. Recommendations of the result training was an important variable for the access of inorganic fertilizer concerned bodies especially, cooperative experts and agricultural experts. Therefore, the government should give strong emphasis to support the improvement of access of inorganic fertilizer in the study area