Abstract
In our countries plenty of projects and initiatives have been working to disseminate efficient cleaned burning improved cook stove and solar energy which have economic, social and environmental benefits. To this end, understanding factors affecting adoption of improved cook stoves and solar energy technology plays a key role.
The purpose of this study was to examine the determinant factors that affect household’s adoption decision of improved cook stove and solar energy technology in rural ‘kebeles’ of Assosa Woreda, Beneshangul Gumuz Regional State of Ethiopia by using mixed research methods. A survey was conducted with a structured questioners’ which was employed purposively or judgmental non-probability sampling technique for 116 households that were randomly selected from five rural kebeles. Semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions were also held with a total of 15 key informants. Data from questionnaires were analyzed by using descriptive stastics and binary logistic model. Regarding on determinants of improved cook stove adoption decision: The regression result shows that educational level, marital status, price, family size, age and separated kitchen household were found to be significantly relation with the probability of Mirt stove adoption decision while source of wood were found to be not statistically significant with Mirt stove adoption decision. Furthermore, Age and family size of the household characteristics were providing services and support to the potential users and producers, denying access to open forest and decentralizing Mirt stove production sites were found to be institutional factors to influence Mirt stove adoption. Membership in social associations, active participation in social activity, informal information exchange and neighbors’ influence were found to be social factors that affect Mirt stove adoption. Thus, an educated household head should be increased through adult education. Improved cook stoves programs should be targeted on rural areas where there is no open forest access. Regarding on determinants of adopting solar energy decision was found to be having positive effect on solar energy technology adoption. The findings of this paper establish that cash money saving, price, awareness and perceptions and educational level of the households were more likely statically significant to adopt solar energy technology. Other factors such as a gender, age and family size which statically insignificant. The main implication of this study is the policy makers could be target appropriate measures in order to improve household saving system, education and awareness and perception on solar energy system. In this way, there is a much higher chance for them to successfully promote solar use by rural households. Generally, in both case there should be more structured decentralization or policy maker in terms of assigning rural energy experts from woreda to kebele.
Keywords: Adoption, Cook Stoves, Binary Logistic Model, Improved, Open- Fire, Solid –Fuel, Solar Energy, Technology Adoption, Determinants and Rural Households.