Adoption Of Improved Maize Varieties Research Articles

Complementary technology adoption and smallholder commercialization: Panel data evidence from Ethiopia

AbstractAgricultural transformation involves the transition from subsistence agriculture marked by cultivating crops for auto‐consumption to cultivating crops for output markets. This transition from subsistence agriculture to market‐oriented agriculture can be a key policy boost to economic development, but evidence on the key entry points to increasing smallholder commercialization remains scarce. We examine the relationship between the adoption of improved maize varieties (IMVs), inorganic fertilizers, and smallholder commercialization. We model commercialization as a two‐step decision process involving market participation and the extent of participation (sales quantity) conditional on participation. Given these two related steps, we estimate a double‐hurdle model in both linear and non‐linear forms. Employing a three‐wave panel dataset from Ethiopia, we use the household fixed effects and correlated random effects model with the control function approach. We find the adoption of IMVs to be significantly associated with both market participation and the extent of participation. This relationship is also true for fertilizers, where we show a positive association between fertilizer use and commercialization. Given the seeming complementarity in the use of both IMVs and fertilizers, we further estimate their joint adoption. We use the multinomial endogenous switching regression model where we show greater commercialization gains under joint adoption. These findings are in line with a growing literature supporting the bundling of agricultural technologies. Given these insights, we provide empirical and policy support to the scaling of agricultural technologies as they have the potential to induce agricultural transformation by unlocking market opportunities.

ASSESSMENT ON ADOPTION OF IMPROVED MAIZE VARIETY AND MAIZE PRODUCTION PRACTICES IN BAITADI, NEPAL

The main objective of this study is to assess the status of adoption of improved maize varieties and cultivation practices of maize in Baitadi district. This study aims to identify the determinants of adoption of improved maize variety (IMV) among farmers and their cultivation practices in Baitadi district and subsequently ascertain the factors influencing the intensity of IMV adoption. The study areas; Dashrathchand-2, Dashrathchand-9, Patan-4 and Pancheshor-6 were selected purposively as these were under the command area of maize zone. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, independent samples t-test, probit model and index score ranking method were used for the data analysis. The productivity of local variety was found 2mt/ha and improved variety was 3.51mt/ha. Majority of farmer preferred to cultivate local and improved variety with Manakamana being the most adopted improved variety. Membership of agricultural groups and training related to maize cultivation were the major determinants of improved variety adoption. Unavailability of seed in vicinity followed by higher cost of seed were the major constraints faced by the farmers in adopting improved maize variety. Distant market and gap between fragment and retail price are the major marketing problem faced by the farmers. Thus, the study concluded that improving farmers’ education, expanding coverage and depth of extension services and firming up farmer associations are suitable policy actions for promoting adoption of improved maize varieties. It is also important to address availability, accessibility and affordability issues constraining adoption of improved varieties and technologies, enhance credit access for farmers and mitigate risk perceptions.

Welfare impact of improved maize varieties adoption among smallholder farmers in Amuru district of Horo Guduru Wollega, Ethiopia

Government policy strategies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), are aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, which could contribute to improve household welfare. Hence, understanding smallholder farmers’ low and variable crop yields has been a central research and policy priority in addressing food security. Likewise, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of adopting improved maize varieties on productivity and food insecurity in Amuru district of Horo Guduru Wollega, Ethiopia. The study utilized cross-sectional household data collected in 2020/2021 from 263 randomly selected sample households. The probit model’s findings indicate that factors that positively influenced households’ adoption of the improved maize varieties included the household head’s education level, the amount of livestock owned, access to credit, access to training, farm size, access to extension agents, and access to information from farmers associations, while factors that negatively influenced adoption included family size and market distance. The endogenous treatment effect model’s findings also showed that IMV adoptions considerably improve smallholder farmers’ welfare by lowering food insecurity and raising their average calorie intake and net crop values. Thus, it is advised that governments and other interested institutions should promote the adoption of improved maize varieties on a larger scale in order to boost maize yield and lower rural household food insecurity.

Improved maize technology adoption and its intensity among male- and female-headed households in Dawuro zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Both male- and female-headed farm households grow maize in Ethiopia. However, little is known about the difference between male- and female-headed households in the adoption of high-yielding technologies for maize. This study examines the difference between male- and female-headed households in their decision to adopt and the intensity of adoption of improved maize technologies in Dawuro zone, Southwestern Ethiopia. The study uses primary data collected in 2018 from 560 maize-producing households in Dawuro zone, Ethiopia. As the female-headed households are not homogenous, this study separately assessed gender differences in improved maize technology adoption between de facto female-headed households and de jure female-headed households. The results show that the intensity of adoption of improved maize varieties (IMVs) and chemical fertilizers on plots managed by male-headed households is statistically different from those managed by female-headed households. The intensity of adoption of IMVs and chemical fertilizers by female-headed household is lower compared to male-headed households. As economic status is a key driver of the adoption of IMVs and fertilizer application, it is recommended that the policies and programs that aim at developing and disseminating quality maize seeds and fertilizers in Dawuro zone should support economically poor female-headed households, particularly, de jure female heads.

Improved maize adoption and impacts on farm household welfare: Evidence from rural Ethiopia

AbstractThe use of improved crop varieties can increase agricultural productivity and enhance the welfare of farmers. This study examined whether the adoption of improved maize varieties (IMV) is associated with the increased welfare of farmers in rural Ethiopia. A panel data set with 1886 observations collected in three waves from 2009/10 to 2014/15 were used for the analysis. The adoption decision was modelled using a double‐hurdle model, and the welfare effect of IMV adoption was estimated using a fixed‐effects instrumental variable approach. Our findings reveal that IMV affects the welfare of farmers. Specifically, we found that IMV adoption increases households' income, asset ownership and maize consumption while also reducing income poverty. The poverty estimates indicate that a 10% increase in the area allocated to IMV was associated with a 4.79% reduction in the probability of being below the $1.90 poverty line. However, the poverty‐reducing effect of IMV adoption was heterogeneous across households, with the most pronounced effect experienced by households with extensive landholdings. Our findings suggest that facilitating access to IMV and land under cultivation can effectively improve farmers' welfare and reduce poverty in rural Ethiopia.

Welfare impact of improved maize varieties adoption and crop diversification practices among smallholder maize farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria

In Nigeria, the inconsistency in maize production compared to the projected average output has grave implications considering the sharp increase in maize demand and its strategic importance in addressing economic welfare issues. Thus, emphasis is placed on improved agricultural technologies for increasing farming household's productivity and income. This study explored the determinant of complementary improved maize varieties (IMVs) and crop diversification (CD) adoption on smallholder maize farmers' welfare (measured by productivity and net farm income) in Ogun State, Nigeria, using a cross sectional data obtained from a multi-staged random sampling of 200 respondents. A multinomial endogenous switching regression (MESR), that correct for endogeneity and unnoticed heterogeneity was employed to analysed the data. The results from the analysis highlighted different socioeconomic characteristics, input variables, policy, and institutional variables as the determinants of the package adoption of IMVs and CD. Estimates of the average treatment effect (ATT) from the MESR model revealed that farmers who adopt IMVs and CD in combination or in isolation realised increased maize productivity and net farm income per hectare. However, farmers who adopt only IMVs achieved the highest welfare outcomes. These findings heighten that policies that stimulate IMVs adoption should be designed, prioritised and upscale to farming areas experiencing low yields to meet farmers' socioeconomic and livelihoods conditions.

Welfare Impact of Improved Maize Varieties Adoption and Crop Diversification Practices Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Nigeria

Welfare Impact of Improved Maize Varieties Adoption and Crop Diversification Practices Among Smallholder Maize Farmers in Nigeria

Impact of improved maize variety adoption on smallholder farmers’ welfare in Benin

ABSTRACT This paper aims to analyze the impact of improved maize adoption on farmers’ welfare in Benin, using a random sample of 356 maize farmers. We provide a rigorous estimation by addressing selection bias and endogeneity issues. First, we applied a double-hurdle model to identify factors that inform farmers’ decision to adopt improved maize. Second, we used the instrumental variable model to assess the impact of improved maize on farmers’ income, poverty status, and poverty gap. For this, we used the predicted area under improved maize from the double-hurdle model as an instrument for the observed area under improved maize. We found that farm size, extension services, training on improved seed, and farmers’ location are key variables that affect both farmers’ decision and the amount of land under improved maize. We also found evidence that adoption of improved maize is positively associated with yield, income, and poverty reduction. Finally, we found no heterogeneous impacts of improved maize among poor and non-poor farmers. Adoption of improved maize favors small landholding farmers but did not have a significant impact on income for those who own large farms size. Overall, our results suggest that improved maize variety is important for rural development.

IMPACT OF IMPROVED VARIETY ADOPTION ON FARM INCOME IN TOLON DISTRICT OF GHANA

This paper estimates the effect of improved maize variety adoption on farm income in the Tolon District of Ghana. The study covered the 2017/2018 farming season and involved 160 randomly selected maize farmers from four communities in the district. A regression with endogenous treatment effect model, which accounts for selection bias arising from both observable and unobservable factors was used to estimate the effect of improved maize variety adoption on farm income. The results indicate that men have lower probability of adoption while adoption increased with extension contact, access to fertilizer subsidy and cattle ownership but decreased with the cost of adoption. The results further indicate that adoption is significantly and positively related to farm income. Adoption of improved maize varieties increased gross farm income of maize farmers by GH¢852. Farm income also increased with farm size and cattle ownership but was lower for female farmers. Institutional factors such as provision of agricultural extension advisory services and subsidized fertilizer are essential to promote adoption of improved varieties; hence these services should be made readily available to farmers. Addressing the problem of inadequate extension staff and logistical challenges confronting extension workers are some of the pragmatic steps required to promote adoption of improved varieties in order to improve farm incomes. Furthermore, subsidized fertilizer should be made available to farmers on time and in the right quantities to enhance adoption and farm incomes, while farmers should be encouraged to rear livestock as this enhances both adoption and farm income.

Impact of improved maize adoption on household food security of maize producing smallholder farmers in Ethiopia

In recent years, maize has gained prominence as an important staple crop in Ethiopia second only to teff in terms of acreage. Most of this is grown by semi-subsistence farm households whose livelihoods are tied to crop production and some livestock keeping. Therefore, an important policy question concerns the impact that the reported maize revolution has had on household food security. This paper answers that question by examining the empirical regularities that explain the adoption of improved maize varieties (IMVs) and how this has impacted household food security in a sample of 2327 maize producing households in 39 districts of Ethiopia. An endogenous switching regression model supported by the dose-response continuous treatment effect method was used to empirically assess the impact of IMV adoption on per capita food consumption expenditure and perceived household food security status. Results show that IMV adoption has a robust and positive impact on per capita food consumption and also significantly increases the probability of a smallholder being in food surplus. The advances in the adoption of improved maize has thus contributed significantly to the food security of maize producing smallholders, confirming the role of crop improvement in contributing to food security of agrarian households.

Land ownership and technology adoption revisited: Improved maize varieties in Ethiopia

The lack of land ownership can discourage agricultural technology adoption, yet there is scarce evidence of the impact of land rental contracts on the adoption of improved crop varieties in developing countries. The current study investigates such impact using a nationally representative survey of Ethiopian maize farmers. In contrast to many previous studies, we show in a simple model that cash-renters are as likely to adopt improved maize varieties as owner-operators, while sharecroppers are more likely to adopt given that such varieties are profitable. Empirical analysis reveals a significant impact of sharecropping on improved maize variety adoption, and no significant impact from cash-rental, lending support to the above hypotheses. These results imply that improvements in land rental markets can potentially enhance household welfare through crop variety adoption in agrarian economies where land sales markets are incomplete or missing.

Risk Adjusted Production Efficiency of Maize Farmers in Ethiopia: Implication for Improved Maize Varieties Adoption

This study analyzes the technical efficiency and production risk of 862 maize farmers in major maize producing regions of Ethiopia. It employs the stochastic frontier approach (SFA) to estimate the level of technical efficiencies of stallholder farmers. The stochastic frontier approach (SFA) uses flexible risk properties to account for production risk. Thus, maize production variability is assessed from two perspectives, the production risk and the technical efficiency. The study also attempts to determine the socio-economic and farm characteristics that influence technical efficiency of maize production in the study area. The findings of the study showed the existence of both production risk and technical inefficiency in maize production process. Input variables (amounts per hectare) such as fertilizer and labor positively influence maize output. The findings also show that farms in the study area exhibit decreasing returns to scale. Fertilizer and ox plough days reduce output risk while labor and improved seed increase output risk. The mean technical efficiency for maize farms is 48 percent. This study concludes that production risk and technical inefficiency prevents the maize farmers from realizing their frontier output. The best factors that improve the efficiency of the maize farmers in the study area include: frequency of extension contact, access to credit and use of intercropping. It was also realized that altitude and terracing in maize farms had influence on farmer efficiency.

Agricultural technology adoption and child nutrition enhancement: improved maize varieties in rural Ethiopia

Adoption of improved crop varieties can lead to multiple benefits to farm households, including increased productivity, incomes, and food consumption. However, possible impacts of adoption on child nutrition outcomes are rarely explored in the literature. This article helps bridge this gap through an impact assessment of the adoption of improved maize varieties (IMVs) on child nutrition outcomes using a recent household survey from rural Ethiopia. The conceptual linkage between IMV adoption and child nutrition is first established using an agricultural household model. Instrumental variable estimation suggests the overall impacts of adoption on child height-for-age and weight-for-age z-scores to be positive and significant. Quantile instrumental variable regressions further reveal that such impacts are largest among children with poorest nutrition outcomes. Finally, by combining a decomposition procedure with system of equations estimation, it is found that the increase in own-produced maize consumption is the major channel through which IMV adoption affects child nutrition.

A duration model for the investigation of the adoption spell of improved maize varieties in Ethiopia

This paper presents a mixture of descriptive, parametric (Weibull), semi-parametric and non-parametric duration model employed to investigate and analyse the adoption spell of improved maize varieties (IMVs) in Ethiopia. The study based on data gathered from a sample of 898 households. The non-parametric result showed that the speed of adoption of IMVs was expedited in the early years but slugged as the number of years from first awareness increased. The parametric and semi-parametric duration model estimates showed that socio-demographic, social capital and organisational factors curtail the adoption spell of IMVs. Among institutional factors, access to credit and extension contact was found as a significant factor for shortening awaiting time of IMVs adoption. Besides distance from information centres such as market, cooperatives and agricultural extension also significantly determine adoption spell of IMVs. Likewise, input cost, drought stress, pest and diseases have been the main factors that have impede speedy IMVs adoption.

Self‐protection from weather risk using improved maize varieties or off‐farm income and the propensity for insurance

AbstractWe investigate how self‐protection from the adoption of Improved Maize Varieties (IMV) and off‐farm income affects risk premiums for smallholder maize producers in Uganda. To unbundle these effects, we specify the cost of risk to explicitly capture four risk components—mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis. Using unique plot‐level panel data for Uganda, we estimate and test moments of a flexible production function based on an expanded form of the Johnson SU family distribution and proceed to simulate the degree of responsiveness of risk premiums and welfare estimates to marginal changes in the share of land under IMV and off‐farm income. Scenarios of joint adoption of IMV accompanied with low and high application of inorganic fertilizer, and the effect of off‐farm income when there is high and low supply of farm labor are examined. Results show that the use of IMV and off‐farm income substantially reduces risk premiums and the individual effect is much higher under low fertilizer application and high supply of farm labor, respectively. Thus implying that self‐protection is likely to reduce the propensity for index insurance especially if its design fails to consider the reduction in downside risk.

Household wealth and adoption of improved maize varieties in Nepal: a double-hurdle approach

In the light of emerging debates about increasing agricultural production and food security for rural farmers in developing countries, this paper examines the effects of household wealth on adoption and use intensity of improved maize varieties (IMVs) in two agro-ecological regions of central Nepal. Using cross-sectional farm-level data from 416 households, we first categorized households into two wealth groups -- poorly endowed and well-endowed households -- and then estimated Cragg’s double-hurdle model for adoption and use intensity of IMVs for each group. The study found the presence of heterogeneous factors influencing adoption and intensity of adoption between poorly and well-endowed households, suggesting a need for wealth-group-specific policy interventions to increase adoption of IMVs and their subsequent impacts on food security. The results also indicated that the availability of seed in local retail outlets will benefit especially the poorly endowed farmers because distance to market showed a negative impact on adoption and intensity of adoption of IMVs. Therefore, government should establish a wide seed distribution network in rural areas, preferably by way of a public-private partnership (PPP), if the desired adoption rate and intensity of adoption are to be achieved. Linking farmers to markets by integrating farmers with potential buyers could help reduce transaction costs and make agriculture more profitable.

Speed of adoption of improved maize varieties in Tanzania: An application of duration analysis

Maize is a strategic commodity for improving food security and alleviating poverty in Tanzania, but its productivity remains low. The importance of improved maize varieties (IMVs) in increasing productivity is documented in existing literature. Previous adoption studies in Tanzania did not examine the factors that influence the speed/timing of adoption. This study examines the determinants of the speed of adoption of IMVs using a duration model and recently collected plot- and household-level data in rural Tanzania. The results highlight the importance of social capital and networks in speeding up the adoption of IMVs. Similarly, government extension workers as a main source of information have a positive effect on the speed of adoption. The regression results also suggest that rainfall and farmers' confidence in government support during crop failure speed up the adoption of IMVs. The findings imply that interventions that strengthen the role of extension services, rural institutions and networks can accelerate the adoption of IMVs by smallholder farmers in Tanzania.

Farm technology adoption in Kenya: a simultaneous estimation of inorganic fertilizer and improved maize variety adoption decisions

This paper models inorganic fertilizer and improved maize varieties adoption as joint decisions. Controlling for household, plot-level, institutional and other factors, the study found that household adoption decisions on inorganic fertilizer and improved maize varieties were inter-dependent. Other factors found to influence the adoption of the two technologies were farmer characteristics, plot-level factors and market imperfections such as limited access to credit and input markets, and production risks. Thus, easing market imperfections is a pre-requisite for accelerating farm technology adoption among the smallholders. Inter-dependence of farm technologies must also not be ignored in farm technology adoption promotion initiatives.

Drivers of improved maize variety adoption in drought prone areas of Malawi

This study identifies the determinants of adoption and adoption-intensity of improved maize varieties in Malawi. We estimated a double hurdle model based on household-level survey data collected in the districts of Balaka and Mangochi in 2008 and found that labour endowment, access to rural credit, livestock wealth, access to agricultural extension, farm size and access to off-farm employment all significantly increase the likelihood of adoption. Households where the head had membership of a social group were also found to be less likely to have adopted. The intensity of adoption was found to be negatively related to livestock wealth and fertilizer use. Conversely, the age of the household head, the labour endowment of the household and the proportion of household members engaged in off-farm activities were factors that were found to be positively related to intensity of adoption. The study suggests the need to enhance adoption and intensity of adoption of improved maize varieties in Malawi among other things improving access to rural finance through credit and improving access to agricultural extension. Agricultural extension enhances provision of timely and quality agricultural information which is vital to smallholder farmers’ production and marketing decisions and hence, key to decisions to adopt new and improved technologies such as improved maize varieties.

The Impact of Improved Maize Varieties on Poverty in Mexico: A Propensity Score-Matching Approach

This study examines the adoption of improved maize germplasm in Oaxaca and Chiapas in Mexico. It employs a propensity score-matching approach to analyze the impact of the adoption of improved maize varieties on household income and poverty reduction, using cross-sectional data of 325 farmers from the two regions. The findings reveal a robust positive and significant impact of improved maize variety adoption on farm household welfare measured by per capita expenditure and poverty reduction. Specifically, the empirical results suggest that adoption of improved maize varieties helped raise household per capita expenditure by an average of 136–173 Mexican pesos, thereby reducing their probability of falling below the poverty line by roughly 19–31%.