Determinants of Barely productivity in case of shashogo woreda, Hadiyya zone, centeral Ethiopia.

Abstract

Barley is one of the most important cereal crops in Ethiopia, contributing significantly to food security and rural livelihoods. However, its productivity remains low due to various socioeconomic, institutional, and agronomic factors. This study examines the determinants of barley productivity in Shashogo Woreda, Hadiyya Zone, Central Ethiopia, using a multiple linear regression model. A sample of 100 barley-producing households was selected through stratified random sampling across three kebeles. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric modeling. The results indicate that land size, fertilizer use, credit access, education level, and agricultural extension services have a positive and significant impact on barley productivity. Conversely, the age of the household head and distance to farmland negatively influence yield, while livestock ownership and non-farm income were found to be statistically insignificant. The model's R² value of 0.78 suggests that 78% of the variation in barley productivity is explained by the included variables, with an Fstatistic of 19.82 (p = 0.000) confirming the overall significance of the model. The findings emphasize the need for policies that promote access to agricultural inputs, credit facilities, and extension services while addressing challenges related to land accessibility and modern farming adoption among older farmers. Strengthening rural infrastructure and enhancing farmer education are also recommended to improve productivity.