ABSTRACT:
This study aims to assess the impact of new agricultural technology adoption on the livelihoods of the farmers, in western wollega, Ethiopia. A random sample of 450 farmers was selected using multistage random sampling from the study area. Logistic regression models, test hypothesis: Z-test, t - test and Chi-square test methods of data analysis were used in this study. Comparisons were made between agricultural technology adopters and non-adopters using the Z- test. To assess the impact of adopting agricultural technology on the educational status of the family, the ratio of children in schools to the total number of school aged children in the family, expressed as percentage. The ability of the household to feed the family was also seen in terms of the frequency of feeding the children and the adult. The percentage of farmers having corrugated iron sheet roofed houses, the percentage of farmers having separate kitchens other than their living rooms for cooking and the percentage of farmers having separate structure for livestock other than the living room were used to assess the impact of agricultural technology adoption on the housing conditions of the farmers. It was found that technology adopters are better off than the non adopters in terms of sending children to elementary school, housing conditions and ability to finance their families’ food requirements. After all analysis, it can be concluded that adoption of agricultural technology enables the farmer to send children to school, have improved housing conditions, and food secured than the non-adopters. Finally, the results were recommended as creating the awareness about the uses of education, business awareness and advising the adopters and non-adopters of agricultural technology adoption.