Characterization of the Socioeconomic Conditions, Full Package, and Adoption of New Technologies of Wheat Crop at Irbid Governorate, Jordan

Abstract

The study explored socio economic conditions of wheat farmers to evaluate the impacts of the introduction of the full package(FP) which contains zero tillage, new varieties of wheat seed, adding fertilizer, using the combine, and using herbicides. Partial budget was used to work out the cost and returns of adopting the full package. The principal method was the administration of a household questionnaire. The household questionnaire was designed to elicit basic numerical data on household structure, farm inputs and expenditures, crop production, wheat variety, farming method, and the strengths and opportunities of the new adopted technologies. was also used to provide a framework for potential solutions (opportunities) and threats, and analysis of the FP. Garrett ranking was applied to rank a set of factors in adopting the FP as perceived by the sample respondents based on certain criteria. A socio-economic questionnaire was designed to elicit basic numerical data. About 50 farmers were personally interviewed in Irbid governorate. Farmers were characterized by large number of family members and good education. The percentage of the male to female was nearly the same. Results showed that 48% of farmers have finished high school, and 34% have higher education. During 2012-2013 seasons, the participation of farmers in full package was very high. This is because adoption of improved crop management substantially increased farmer income. In other hands, the adoption of zero tillage is shown to increase steadily. Farmers started to gain awareness on the role of this system in achieving stability and higher profitability of wheat production. However, the adoption of this system could be further increased with the increase in availability of special driller’s equipment and farmer learning. About 32% of the sample adopted the full package, and 22% adopted the new verities of seeds. Garrett ranking showed that there are new techniques have been adopted by the farmers through the full package. Using seeders is one of the main newly adopted techniques as mentioned by 90% of farmers. Regarding to the use of improved variety, there were about 84% of farmers mentioned that they have planted the improved variety.