Current knowledge on product marketing in Ethiopia is poor and inadequate for designing and implementing policies to overcome problems in the marketing system. This study was conducted to identify the factors influencing the market participation decision of smallholder haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) farmers in Northwest Ethiopia. Survey data were collected from 312 smallholder farmers and analyzed using Heckman’s two-step econometric model that estimates probit model in the first step and regression model with the parameters estimated using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method in the second step. The educational status, non-farm income from nonfarm employment, number of extension contacts, gender, improved seed use, chemical fertilizer, and farmers' perception of land degradation were the significant variables affecting the market participation decision of smallholder farmers. The amount of haricot bean output supplied to the market were influenced by age, experience, livestock holding, nonfarm income, extension contacts, gender, market access, and membership in marketing association. Participation in the market can be improved by providing training and education regarding the production and marketing of haricot bean output and increasing farmers' contact with extension agents.

To improve the national average yield of potato in Ethiopia, which is very low as compared to its potential, factors that influence technical efficiency of potato production need to be determined. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the determinants of technical efficiency using a cross-sectional data collected from 368 randomly selected potato producers in Northern Ethiopia using a multi-stage sampling technique. The study employed Cobb–Douglas stochastic frontier model to get farm-level technical efficiency scores. Tobit model and principal component analysis were used to determine the factors that influence technical efficiency of farm households. The results revealed that chemical fertiliser, seed potato, plot size and labour are statistically significant factors that affect potato yield. The average technical efficiency score was estimated to be 75%; and education, experience, off-farm income, household size, membership in a farmers’ association, use of irrigation water, extension contact, use of improved seed, access to product market and weak coordination of stakeholders’ were significant factors influencing technical efficiency. The findings of the study suggest that there is a need for government intervention to create strong market linkage between producers and buyers and to give appropriate training to agricultural extension agents.

Adoption of technology can enhance the development of micro and small enterprises (MSEs). But in Ethiopia, there is a very low adoption of broadband connections, mobile phones, computers, printers, scanners, copiers, and other technologies by MSEs. The main objective of this study was to identify the determinants of technology adoption by MSEs in Northwest Ethiopia. Cross-sectional data were collected from 327 MSEs selected using the stratified random sampling method and analyzed using the Heckman two-stage model. The first stage probit model estimation results showed that sex, educational level, source of start-up capital, size of the enterprise, and whether the owner of the enterprise has had technology related trainings were significant factors determining technology adoption decisions of MSEs. The second stage estimation results showed that sex, education level, experience, age, family size of the owner, and access to credit significantly influence the degree of technology adoption. The findings indicate that MSEs need more education (information) on technology, greater access to credit, and incentives provided by the government of Ethiopia and other agencies in order to increase their adoption of technology.

There is an enormous potential for beekeeping practices to generate income, create jobs, and alleviate poverty. However, in Ethiopia, there are many constraints that hinder rural households to expand and adopt beekeeping practices. The objective of this study was to analyze the determinants of beekeeping adoption in Northwest Ethiopia. To achieve the objective, cross-sectional data were collected from 369 rural households and analyzed using a nonlinear econometric (binary logistic regression) model. The maximum likelihood estimation results revealed that sex, marital status, household size, and the educational status of the household head, number of extension visits, membership in a farmers’ association, and access to credit were the statistically significant variables determining beekeeping adoption in the study area. The beekeeping constraints that had statistically significant influence on beekeeping adoption were grouped as marketing, natural, and financial. To reap the benefits from the huge potential of honeybee colonies, the government of Ethiopia and other associated actors and stakeholders should work together to solve the constraints faced by rural households in adopting beekeeping practices that could result in improving their livelihoods.

The barriers to and opportunities for adopting green manufacturing practices (GMP) have not been well investigated in Ethiopian manufacturing industries. The objectives of this study were to identify the potential barriers to and determinants of adopting GMP among medium- and large-scale manufacturing businesses in northern Ethiopia. To achieve the objectives, primary data were collected from 131 medium- and large-scale manufacturing companies through interviews. Exploratory factor analysis and multiple linear regression modelling were used to answer the research questions. Company specific characteristics: managers’ experience, number of persons engaged, scale size of the company, age of the company, and whether the company has an environmental management department or not have significant influence on adoption of GMP. Lack of environmental knowledge, business environment related barrier, societal influence, technological barrier, financial barrier, organizational barrier, and regulatory or government barrier were the significant barriers to adoption of GMP. The significant industry-specific characteristics and the adoption barriers identified as determinants of GMP can help medium- and large-scale manufacturing enterprises to change their manufacturing practices to GMP. In addition, the findings of this study can be used to promote environmental sustainability in manufacturing.