Adoption of agricultural innovations in risky environment: the case of corn producers in the west of Cameroon

Abstract

The use of modern agricultural inputs has been cited as a major factor for increasing productivity in most sub-Saharan African countries. A wide range of variables influence the adoption of such inputs. It is important to identify these variables in order to ensure the implementation of more effective programmes to promote the use of modern inputs. This article examines the determinants of adoption of three new agricultural technologies (improved maize seeds, inorganic fertiliser and pesticide) by corn producers in the west of Cameroon. Rather than the univariate probit model which is commonly used, the multivariate probit model is employed to take account of the correlation between the disturbances of the three adoption models. The results indicate that the decision to adopt agricultural innovations is significantly influenced by farmers’ education, income and risk perception as well as farm size. Therefore, policies aimed at setting up sustainable risk management markets, increasing the level of education of farmers and their access to credit could greatly promote the adoption of agricultural innovations by farmers of Cameroon in general and in the western region in particular.