Small Scale Biogas Technology Adoption Behaviours of Rural Households and its Effect on Major Crop Yields in East Gojjam Zone of Ethiopia: Propensity Score Matching Approach

Summary

This cross-sectional study of 335 rural households in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia examined determinants of small-scale biogas adoption and its effect on cereal crop yields using propensity score matching. Key adoption drivers included herd size, extension support, training access, and proximity to water and markets. Biogas adopters who applied bio-slurry achieved a mean yield increase of 41.5 quintals per household annually compared to matched non-adopters, suggesting substantial agronomic benefits from the technology.

Regional applicability

This study is geographically specific to Ethiopia and reflects Ethiopian agricultural extension systems and rural livelihood contexts. Whilst the findings on biogas technology's agronomic benefits may offer insights for similar smallholder systems in sub-Saharan Africa, direct application to United Kingdom farming (which operates at a different scale, with different infrastructure and policy environments) would require careful contextualisation. The policy implications are most relevant to African agricultural development frameworks.

Key measures

Adoption determinants (cattle head, extension contact, training access, distance to water and market); crop yield increase (quintal/year/household); probit model coefficients

Outcomes reported

The study measured determinants of small-scale biogas technology adoption and its impact on cereal crop yields in rural households. Adopters using bio-slurry showed increased crop yields compared to non-adopters.

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