Abstract
Potato is a major food staple that makes a significant contribution to food security, having potential to smooth the volatility in food prices resulting from recent episodes of global food price increases. Despite its importance, most potato growers continue to use poor-quality seed, normally obtained from local/community sources. This study uses means-end chain theory to examine the drivers of use of quality seed potato, and the mental models associated with quality seed potato use. It finds that the decision to purchase and use quality seed is driven by deep-seated life goals that farmers pursue, and that profit-making is merely a means to these end/life goals. It further finds that the structure of mental models differs by the gender of the adopter and between adopters and nonadopters. The study concludes that the structure and content of farmers’ mental models differ by farmer type. The implications of the study findings for policy are discussed.
Highlights
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the fourth most important crop globally
Potato is a major food staple that makes a significant contribution to food security, having potential to smooth the volatility in food prices resulting from recent episodes of global food price increases
This study uses means-end chain theory to examine the drivers of use of quality seed potato, and the mental models associated with quality seed potato use
Summary
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the fourth most important crop globally. It is a major food staple and food security crop, and a major source of livelihood, for smallholder households in the tropical highlands of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (Haverkort and Struik 2015). This study differs from previous adoption studies by examining the content and structure of mental models associated with adoption of quality seed potato and personal values that drive such decisions; That is, it goes beyond the usual microeconomic analysis, which focuses on incentives and capacity variables, to assess psychosocial factors that underlie the decision to adopt a new or improved technology. The rest of this paper is organized as follows: Theoretical Framework for Analysis of Motivations section outlines the theoretical framework and discusses the means-end chain approach to unearthing deep-seated meaning representations (i.e., mental models) associated with quality seed potato adoption decision-making by smallholder potato growers. It was recently applied by Okello et al (2014) and Lagerkvist et al (2012) in agriculture
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
