Unpacking the drivers of improved crop technology adoption and intensity among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region

Agricultural transformation in sub-Saharan Africa depends critically on the adoption of improved crop technologies, yet uptake remains limited despite sustained dissemination efforts. This study unpacks the drivers influencing smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt and intensify the use of improved agricultural technologies in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region, an area characterized by diverse agro-ecologies and persistent food insecurity. Utilizing cross-sectional household survey data from 486 randomly selected farm households across three zones, we employ a generalized double-hurdle model with correlated errors to analyze two sequential decision-making processes: the initial adoption decision and the intensity of adoption, measured by land area allocated to improved technologies. We also estimate a Multivariate Probit model to account for joint adoption of technology packages, and conduct sub-sample analyses to examine household-level heterogeneity. The results reveal that adoption is a multi-phase process, with distinct drivers influencing each stage. Household-level characteristics, including education, agricultural experience, and social network participation, significantly affect the initial adoption decision. In contrast, resource endowments such as livestock holdings and farm size predominantly determine the intensity of technology use. Institutional factors, including access to extension services and credit, play significant roles across both decision stages. The correlation between the two hurdles is positive and significant (ρ = 0.42, p < 0.01), confirming the presence of selection bias and justifying the generalized specification. Adoption rates vary substantially by technology type, from 78% for inorganic fertilizer to 23% for improved crop varieties. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that credit constraints bind more tightly for small farms and female-headed households, while extension services substitute for formal education among less educated farmers. The findings underscore the importance of distinguishing between adoption and intensity when designing agricultural extension and technology dissemination policies. Tailored interventions that address both entry-level behavioral barriers and resource constraints are essential for scaling up improved crop technologies. By disaggregating the adoption process, this study provides nuanced insights for policymakers and development practitioners seeking to foster sustainable agricultural transformation in resource-constrained, climate-vulnerable settings.