An overview of the status, productivity and determinants of improved forage technology adoption in Ethiopia: a review

Abstract In Ethiopia, the adoption of improved forage technology is low despite the fact that improved technology adoption can play a pivotal role in boosting livestock production and productivity in general and the dairy sub-sector in particular, thereby contributing to poverty reduction and food and nutrition security. This low adoption of improved forage technology is constrained by various socioeconomic, institutional, and biophysical factors. We conducted a literature search on the reputable journal database by searching for “improved forage technology”, “determinants of forage technology”, “adoption”, “status of forage production in Ethiopia”, and “forage production limitations”. Moreover, we conducted a literature search on key national-level research institutions, the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production Proceedings, the Central Statistics Agency (CSA) of Ethiopia, and conference proceedings and abstracts of societies and other relevant databases related to our keywords. This review article, therefore, highlights important issues that potentially constrain farmers` improved forage technology adoption and implementation in Ethiopia. Previous empirical study findings, analyzing the determinants of forage production technology adoption underscored that economic, technological, sociocultural, demographic, and institutional factors are the most important determinants of improved forage technology adoption and diffusion. Generally, to intensify the likelihood of the adoption of improved forage technologies, policymakers and concerned stakeholders should focus on strengthening the research-extension-farmers (R-E-F) linkage, adult education, and capacity building, coaching farmers to access improved forage seeds, information on forage husbandry and feeding, strengthening extension systems as well as capabilities which can improve the livelihoods of smallholder dairy farmers. Finally, the technology developer should incorporate the needs and perceptions of farmers through technology design and development; and consider the key demand and supply side during technology development, which enhances the adoption of the technology more easily. Therefore, our empirical review highlights the importance of addressing the aforementioned technology adoption constraints to improve the adoption and diffusion of improved forage technologies. This in turn, would help to improve the livelihoods of rural smallholder dairy farmers.