The effects of Adopting Technological Innovations on Rice Value Chain Actors in Cameroon

Abstract

The outcomes of adopting technological innovations remain debatable, in spite of its importance. With multiple innovations available in the sector, not all adopters’ benefit at same the magnitude. The majority of agricultural technology adoption studies analyze adoption effects on a single actor, often neglecting other actors on the value chain; limiting knowledge of adoption rates and their effects on entire value chains. Studying adoption choices and effects among multiple actors on the value chain can provide novel insights of scientific and policy relevance. This study examines the adoption of innovations by multiple rice value chain actors and adoption effects on actors’ performance in Cameroon. The multi-stage sampling technique was applied to identify and collect data from 800 rice value chain actors, using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regressions were performed to identify adopted innovations; and their income effects respectively, using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Female actors (55%) dominated the rice value chain compared to males (45%). Mean rice production per actor was 8,011kg/year, generating a mean income of FCFA (Franc Communauté Financière Africaine) 1,201,650.00 (US$ 2,031.23). The number of adopted innovations varied across value chain actors (farmers:7, millers:8, wholesalers:5, and retailers:4). Overall, 13 of the 21 adopted innovations (~62%) had significant effects on actors’ incomes (P = 0.000). Some innovations (owning mobile phones, mobile money accounts, and engaging in mobile money transfers) were adopted by all actors; however, most adopted innovations were actor-specific; indicating differences in actors’ technology preferences. The most important effect of technology adopted was increased food consumption, reported by 100% of all actors. We contend that food security is a prime motive for adopting rice innovations in the study site. We further recommend active participation of actors along the rice value chain in selecting preferred technologies prior to dissemination, to enhance high adoption rates. Future research should identify why only 38% of available innovations were adopted along the rice value chain in this Cameroonian case study, and which factors influenced the choices of different actors. A retrospect on effects other than income can provide stronger relevance for policies promoting adoption of innovations among rice value chain actors in the study site.