Abstract
This chapter aims to shed light on the broad debate surrounding when and why farmers adopt agricultural innovations, especially in the context of multi-stakeholder platforms (MSP) seeking to scale climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. No research has yet tested the hypothesis that farmer entrepreneurship—defined as the innovative use of agricultural resources to create opportunities for value creation—may facilitate the adoption of CSA practices. This study is intended to fill that information gap. Farmers involved in coffee and honey MSPs in the Manafwa region of Uganda filled out questionnaires that evaluated four types of entrepreneurial competences: innovativeness, risk-taking, proactiveness and intentions. The goal was to investigate quantitatively the influence of farmer entrepreneurship and farm characteristics on product innovation, process innovation and market innovation. Results confirmed earlier research showing that farmer educational levels have a stronger influence on process innovation than any other variable. In addition, it was shown that farm size and access to resources have a significant effect on all forms of agricultural innovation. The study also found that farm size influences entrepreneurial innovativeness in a surprising way, with smaller farms more likely than larger farms to engage in all forms of innovation. Finally, our study reveals that at least two dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation—proactiveness and innovativeness—may play a role in the adoption of agricultural innovations. These qualities, moreover, can be learned. MSPs seeking to promote innovation, including adoption of CSA practices, might consider investing in programs that help farmers develop entrepreneurial mindsets.
Highlights
This chapter examines entrepreneurship as part of the broad debate surrounding when and why farmers adopt agricultural innovations, especially in the context of multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) (Kilelu et al 2013; Schut et al 2015) and similar organizations seeking to scale climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices
By understanding and encouraging farmer entrepreneurship, MSPs may be able to stimulate a broad range of agricultural innovation
If the interaction effect among farm size and entrepreneurial proactiveness increases, the computed variable of process innovation increases (Sig. 0.18). This means that proactive farmers with a larger farm size are the most likely to engage in all forms of agricultural innovations
Summary
This chapter examines entrepreneurship as part of the broad debate surrounding when and why farmers adopt agricultural innovations, especially in the context of multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) (Kilelu et al 2013; Schut et al 2015) and similar organizations seeking to scale climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. Entrepreneurial farmers may be among the first in a community to experiment with new practices, mobilize a previously underutilized resource, or use fresh information to build a new market for agricultural products. Recent investigations suggest that entrepreneurship may help agents respond to environmental shocks or adapt to rapidly changing market and conditions (Naudé 2010; York and Venkataraman 2010; Bruton et al 2008; Khavul and Bruton 2013; Bruton et al 2013). By understanding and encouraging farmer entrepreneurship, MSPs may be able to stimulate a broad range of agricultural innovation
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.
