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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.
Sec. Agricultural and Food Economics
Volume 8 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2024.1443775
This article is part of the Research Topic Strategies Of Digitalization And Sustainability In Agrifood Value Chains View all 21 articles

Digital Tools and Welfare: Adoption Determinants among Ginger Producers in Southern and Central Ethiopia

Provisionally accepted
Fetagn Gizachew Fetagn Gizachew 1*Berhanu Kuma Berhanu Kuma 1Alula Tafesse Alula Tafesse 1Alemu Lambamo Alemu Lambamo 2
  • 1 Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, Ethiopia
  • 2 Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This study investigated the role of digital tools in agricultural extension services among smallholder ginger producers in Southern and Central Ethiopia, addressing the persistent challenge of low adoption rates despite their recognized benefits. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research identified the socio-economic, institutional, and technological factors influencing farmers' adoption decisions. The analysis, based on an Endogenous Switching Regression model, highlighted the significant effects of digital tool adoption on both agricultural productivity and household income. The findings emphasized the need for targeted policies to promote digital tool uptake, particularly through investments in digital infrastructure, expanded access to ICTs, and the development of tailored extension services. Such efforts are critical to enhancing rural livelihoods, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and fostering economic stability in the region.

    Keywords: digital technology adoption, ginger farming, welfare, South Ethiopia, Central Ethiopia

    Received: 04 Jun 2024; Accepted: 30 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Gizachew, Kuma, Tafesse and Lambamo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Fetagn Gizachew, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, Ethiopia

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.