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Table 2 Description of the independent variables used to explain the probability of adopting biogas technology

From: Returns, setbacks, and future prospects of bio-energy promotion in northern Ethiopia: the case of family-sized biogas energy

Name of the variable

Nature of the variable

Hypothesized relationship with the dependent variable (biogas adoption)

Description of the variable

Age

Continuous

Positive/negative

Age of the household head in years

Sex

Dummy

Positive/negative

Sex of the household head; a dummy variable for gender relationships (male = 1, female = 0)

Family size

Continuous

Positive/negative

Family size of the household

Education

Continuous

Positive

Education level of the household head in years

Cattle holding

Continuous

Positive

Number of cattle owned by the household (heads/hh)

Annual income

Continuous

Positive

Annual income of the household in ETB

DistFire

Continuous

Positive

Distance to nearest firewood collection site in kilometer

DistWater

Continuous

Negative

Distance to nearest permanent water point in kilometer

DistMarket

Continuous

Positive/negative

Distance to nearest market in kilometer

Availability of electricity

Dummy

Negative

Availability of modern fuels mainly electricity (yes = 1, otherwise = 0)

Farm size

Continuous

Positive

Total size of farm plots owned and operated by the household in Tsimad

Fertility status

Categorical

Positive/negative

Fertility status of farm plot (1 = poor, 2 = medium, 3 = good)

Farm location

Continuous

Negative

Distance between house and farm of the household in kilometer

Extension service

Continuous

Positive

Frequency of contacts between agricultural extension worker and the household (frequency in a year)