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The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of fertilizer and improved maize varieties of seeds on maize productivity and welfare of maize producing households based on survey data that has been obtained from 337 households in Ethiopia. Results have been estimated by using propensity score matching method. The study indicates that adoption of fertilizer and improved maize varieties increases maize productivity ranging from 9.11-9.95 quintal/ha and enhance welfare of maize producers evidenced by an increase in consumption expenditure of 1021-1297 birr. The implication of this study is the need of unreserved and continuous effort to enhance adoption of agriculture technologies by small holder farmers to reduce the challenge of food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the economic benefit of agricultural technologies on maize and teff crops based on primary data collected from 400 farmers in Awi zone, Ethiopia. The results of budgetary analysis technique indicated that adoption of fertilizer increased profit of maize production by 37.7% while it was estimated to be 58% for simultaneous adoption of fertilizer and improved seeds. On the other hand, adoption of fertilizer in teff production increased profit by 90.9%. The Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition found the existence of a significant productivity gap between nonadopters and adopters varying from 50% to 73% where 71.7% to 77.3% of the gaps primarily resulted from adoption of technologies. Hence, the government, financial institutions, and farmers' cooperatives should be coordinated to enhance farmers' adoption of agricultural technologies through expanding extension services, expanding credit accessibility, and ensuring timely availability of technologies at an affordable price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]