Multivariate Probit Research Articles

Towards environmental sustainability: The role of certification in the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices among Ghanaian mango farmers

The role of market interventions like certification in promoting climate action has received little attention in policy and academic circles. This study used a multivariate probit model (MVP) to analyze the factors that influence farmers’ adoption of multiple climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. An endogenous treatment effects (eteffects) regression was used to estimate the impact of certification on the adoption of different CSA practices. The study found that age, education, farm size, access to extension services and storage facilities influenced the adoption of different CSA practices. After accounting for endogeneity, we found that the adoption of certification reduces the likelihood that farmers will use inorganic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides by about 50, 38 and 23 percentage points, respectively. We conclude that certification has the potential to reduce the adoption of agronomic practices that contribute to climate change. Our findings suggest that government, policymakers, the private sector and development partners should make efforts to enhance the adoption of certification. This can be done by enhancing access to credit facilities, extension services and high-value markets.

Factors influencing cassava farmers’ choice of climate change adaption practices and its effect on cassava productivity in Nigeria

This study examined the socio-economic factors influencing choice of climate change adaptation practices and the effects of these practices on cassava productivity in Nigeria. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, structured questionnaire was used to survey 100 cassava farmers. The result was analyzed with a multivariate probit and generalized linear regression models. The result showed male dominance (78%) in cassava farming and the mean age of the cassava farmers was 45.46 ± 9.36 years. About 66% of the farmers belonged to cooperative associations and 67% had access to credit facilities. The multivariate model revealed that age of farmers, gender, education qualification, primary occupation, total income, membership of cooperative associations, farming objectives, farming experience, access to extension visit, access to credit, type of land ownership, farm size and climatic conditions significantly influenced choice of climate change adaptation practices among cassava farmers. The generalized linear model identified farming system, multiple crop types/improved crop varieties used, crop diversification, organic manuring, multiple planting dates, use of alternate fallowing, education and credit access to significantly affect cassava productivity. The study concluded that, eco-friendly methods for adapting to climate change increase cassava productivity. Thus, cassava farmers should be trained on the use of best climate change adaptation practices that can boost cassava productivity. In order to practice climate smart farming, it is important to stress the usage of organic manure and alternate fallowing.

Multiplier effects of some complementary agricultural practices: Evidence from rice in Ecuador

Rice is a crop that contributes significantly both to food security and to ensure adequate income levels for farmers. This motivates efforts in many countries to disseminate techniques that increase production while being environmentally friendly and affordable to small farmers. The objective of this article is to study the process of adoption of innovations in rice cultivation in Ecuador. Four practices that increase yields and improve natural resource management have been selected: land leveling, certified seed, widely spaced transplanting, and the use of harvesting machinery. The factors that most influence their adoption are studied for each of them: human and social capital, and institutional support for agriculture. In addition, the interrelations of some practices with others are analyzed. Multivariate probit estimation shows that education is the main factor that increases the probability of adopting these practices. And with unequal incidence are associationism, access to credit and insurance. The complementarities found between different practices point to the convenience of promoting them jointly to take advantage of their synergies.

Rural Households’ Behaviour towards Modern Energy Technology Adoption Choices in East Gojjam Zone of Ethiopia: A Multivariate Probit Regression Analysis

Many rural communities in developing countries continue to rely on biomass for energy, which has a negative impact on their socioeconomic development. Following the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals—zero hunger and affordable modern/clean energy for all—many developing nations are now taking substantial initiatives to enhance rural clean energy access. As a result, this research explored rural household behaviors toward adopting alternative modern energy sources in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. In an attempt to do so, 317 rural households were surveyed, and the data were analyzed using the multivariate probit (MVP) model. According to the MVP model results, education level, land size, credit availability, awareness, distance to market, and early neighbor adopters have positive effects on the choice of solar energy sources, whereas livestock holding, household income, extension contact, distance to biomass sources, and training access have negative effects. Besides this, the estimated MVP for improved cook stoves is positively influenced by livestock holding, income, extension contact, distance to biomass sources, awareness, training access, and early adopters. In contrast, education level, household size, agricultural experience, land size, access to credit, and distance to market all have a negative influence. Moreover, extension contact, distance to biomass sources, and availability of training have a positive impact on the choice of biogas energy sources, whereas credit access, awareness, distance to market, and early adopters have a negative effect. Regarding the propensity to use modern energy sources in the study area, infrastructural development was identified as critical.

Fuel adoption in rural heating: a field study on northern China

PurposePromoting clean heating in rural areas is crucial for achieving a low-carbon transition of energy consumption and China's dual-carbon target. The study aims to consider the energy stacking behavior in heating energy use, reveals the determinants that affect household cleaner heating choices under the winter clean heating plan (WCHP), and proposes policy recommendations for the sustainable promotion of clean heating.Design/methodology/approachWith unique rural household survey data covering the clean heating pilot regions in northern China in 2020, this study estimates the relationship between driving factors and heating energy choices through binary and multivariate probit models.FindingsThe regression estimates show that the main drivers of heating energy choices include household income per capita, education level of household head, knowledge of the WCHP, access to heating subsidies and perception of indoor air pollution. There is energy stacking behavior in rural household heating energy use. Household decisions to adopt electricity or clean coal heating are correlated with firewood or soft coal use.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few to investigate the heating energy use of rural households by allowing for the adoption of multiple energy types. Combined with a unique microsurvey dataset, it could provide rich information for formulating proper energy transition planning. The findings also shed light on the importance of heating subsidies, households' knowledge of WCHP and awareness of environmental health in choosing clean heating energy, which has not been fully valued in related research.

Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies and Determinants of Farmers’ Adoption Decisions in the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Agriculture is a sector that is very vulnerable to the effects of climate change while contributing to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the atmosphere. Therefore, applying Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) technologies and practices (referee hereafter as CSA technologies) that can sustainably boost productivity, improve resilience, and lower GHG emissions are crucial for a climate resilient agriculture. This study sought to identify the CSA technologies used by farmers and assess adoption levels and factors that influence them. A cross-sectional survey was carried out gather information from 384 smallholder farmers in the Great Rift Valley (GRV) of Ethiopia. Data were analyzed using percentage, chi-square test, t test, and the multivariate probit model. Results showed that crop diversification, agroforestry, and integrated soil fertility management were the most widely practiced technologies. The results of the chi-square and t tests showed that there are differences and significant and positive connections between adopters and non-adopters based on various attributes. The chi-square and t test results confirmed that households who were older and who had higher incomes, greater credit access, climate information access, better training, better education, larger farms, higher incomes, and more frequent interactions with extension specialists had positive and significant associations with CSA technology adopters. The model result showed that age, sex, and education of the head; farmland size; livestock ownership; income; access to credit; access to climate information; training; and extension contact influenced the adoption of CSA technologies. Therefore, considering barriers to the adoption of CSA technologies, in policy and action is anticipated to support smallholder farmers in adapting to climate change while lowering GHG emissions.

Modelling farmers’ adoption decisions of sustainable agricultural practices under varying agro-ecological conditions: A new perspective

Different scholars have modelled the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) with a goal of improving farmer's adaptive capacity to climate change. Nonetheless, through the conventional way of defining adoption decisions as one-time survey decisions, many scholars have failed to understand inconsistencies in adoption decisions and dis-adoption of such practices. Through a survey of 2100 maize farming households, the current study employed multivariate probit models to understand and compare one-time survey season adoption decisions and sustained (consistent) adoption decisions. The study notes that dis-adoption rates of SAPs range from 20 to 27 percent. As such, the determinants of dis-adoption were estimated to build a case for going beyond one-time adoption survey decisions. Furthermore, the study employed a Cox Proportional hazard model to understand the relative risk to adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices over time. The findings reveal the need for a modelling paradigm shift in understanding adoption decisions for sustainable benefits. Past research has focused on understanding whether farmers adopted SAPs in a previous survey season period. Nonetheless, efforts to ensure sustainable productivity and food security remains lacking amidst climate change. The current study reveals evidence of a need for a modelling shift towards sustained adoption of SAPs for sustainable development of agriculture. Lastly, the findings reveal the need for intensifying knowledge and information dissemination on SAPs through field demonstrations, extension visits, trainings and radio programs in order to reduce dis-adoption and ensure sustained adoption.

A study evaluating the extrinsic and intrinsic determinants of farmers' adoption of climate change adaptation strategies: A novel approach for improving farmers' health

Small-scale farmers living in mountainous areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Although governments have implemented various support programs and policies to support a range of farmers to tackle climatic changes, there are still several difficulties in the implementation of these adaptation strategies. Using the survey data of 758 small-scale farmers this paper employs Multivariate Probit (MVP) and Poisson regression models to measure the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting farmers adaptation decision in rural Vietnam. The results reveal that the extrinsic factors such as annual rainfall variations and farm size motivate farmers' adoption of their adaptations. The findings also reveal that the political connection has a significantly positive impact on the respondents' selection, while government interference such as extension training programs has a negative association with the farmers adaptation choice. Public extension programs should be simultaneously redesigned to support farmers in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Do farmers use climate information in adaptation decisions? case of smallholders in semi-arid Kenya

Integration of climate information in farm-level adaptation decision is crucial to manage climate change induced risks. The Government of Kenya is mandated to manage and disseminate climate information to enhance adaptation to climate change. However, the use of climate information on farm-level adaptation has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to: identify the climate information accessed by farmers, establish the association between using climate information and the adaptation strategies adopted, examine the factors influencing adaptation decisions, find out how climate information were used and the benefits and constraints of using the information . Data was collected from 432 households randomly selected from semi-arid areas in Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties. The Multivariate probit model was used to analyse data. The results showed that farmers accessed short and medium-term forecasts; decadal forecasts and agrometeorological advisories. There was a significant association between using climate information and the climate change adaptation strategies adopted by the farmers. Demographic, socio-economic and institutional factors significantly influenced farmers’ adaptation decisions. Farmers used the climate information for tactical, short-term farm operations. Benefits of using climate information were manifested in reduced crop loss, increased yield and farm revenue. However, farmers’ use of climate information was constraint by economic and technical factors. The study recommends that the Government enforces policies that empowers farmers to access the requisite farm inputs and facilitate the provision of agrometeorological advisories to increase local-level utility of climate information. The Government should formulate and implement policies that strengthen the provision of timely, simplified and adequately actionable climate information that suit farmers‘ climate change adaptation needs.

Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Uptake of Regenerative Agriculture Technologies in the Dry-lands of Embu County, Kenya

This study evaluated socioeconomic factors influencing the uptake of regenerative agriculture technologies in the dry lands of Embu County. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 400 farm households. Multivariate Probit model (MVP) and percentage were used to analyse the data. The findings of the study indicate that several socioeconomic factors including farming experience, farm size, main occupation, off-farm activities, age, gender, marital status and education level influenced the uptake of various regenerative agriculture technologies. Government and other inventors should take these factors into consideration while making decisions and formulating policies to support the dissemination and uptake of agricultural innovations.

Factors Affecting Farmers' Perceptions Towards Benefits of Organic Farming

This study analyzes the factors affecting the perceptions of organic farmers in Kilis regarding the benefits of organic agriculture. For this reason, data was collected by conducting a face-to-face survey of 279 of 445 farmers in Kilis who produce organic olive oil. The multivariate PROBIT regression method was used for data analysis. According to the regression results, the increase in the age or experience of the farmer increases the probability of seeing the benefit of organic farming as preserving the organic components in the soil. On the other hand, women are more likely to see the conservation of organic components in the soil as a benefit of organic farming than men. As the income level increases, the cost emerges as a benefit of organic agriculture. Compared to women, men see the benefit of organic farming as reducing the cost of production. The effect of the independent variables used in the study on the dependent variable of producing highly competitive products is statistically insignificant. Farmers who make a living only from olive agriculture are more likely to see the environmentally friendly option as the benefit of organic agriculture, while the situation is the opposite for those who are members of the olive oil union. Compared to farmers with 10 years or less of experience, those with 21-25 and 26 or more years of experience are more likely to see health as the benefit of organic farming.

Drivers of income diversification among rural households in the Ethiopian central highlands

AbstractAs in most developing countries, farm households in Ethiopia are often engaged in several income diversification activities to mitigate several risks and uncertainties faced by agriculture and address poverty and food insecurity. The benefits of income diversification have been widely documented in the literature. However, little econometric evidence exists on the drivers of income diversification among farm households in Ethiopia. The paper addresses this information gap by investigating the drivers of choice decisions and intensity of income diversification among farm households using data collected from a sample of 385 randomly selected households from the Ethiopian central highlands. Unlike previous studies, our multivariate probit model results show that the choice decision of farm households is significantly interrelated and drivers had heterogeneous effects on the choice decision of households. The findings revealed that age, education, livestock, land, food shortage, agricultural commercialization cluster (ACC), investment in sustainable farming practices, rainfall, and maximum temperature significantly impacted the choice of income diversification. The fractional response logit model results revealed that age, livestock, food shortage, joint household decision‐making, ACC, income, rainfall, and study site significantly impacted the intensity of income diversification. The descriptive results revealed that most farmers (67%) tend to have a more diversified portfolio of income including off‐farm, forest, non‐farm, livestock, crop, and other sources, and the intensity of diversification ranges between 0 and 0.76. The study also finds the presence of both synergies and trade‐offs in different types of diversification. We suggest that there is an urgent need to improve the ways of income diversification among farm households to both the sustainability of small farms and ensure food security.

Impacts of microcredit access on climate change adaptation strategies adoption and rice yield in Kwara State, Nigeria

Access to microcredit has received a lot of attention, but, its role in the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies and improvement of rice yield is not often debated. This study investigated the impacts of access to microcredit on the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies and the yield of rice farmers. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 320 rice farmers for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Multivariate Probit regression model, the Poisson regression model with endogenous treatment, and the Endogenous Switching Regression Model. The descriptive results for the entire sample show mean values of 45 years for age, 9 people for household size, 20 years for farming experience, and 19 hectares for farm size. The result also showed that many of the rice farmers are male (94%), married (92%), educated (97%), and belong to rice farmer's associations (85%). Most of the rice farmers have access to microcredit (80%) and the farmers depend largely on their funds from other enterprises (100%). Many of the farmers mostly adopted high-quality-improved seeds (92%). Further findings reveal that age, educational status, household size, farm size, and years of farming experience are factors that largely determine the choice of climate change adaptation strategies adopted. The study also revealed that access to microcredit significantly affected the intensity of adoption of climate change adaptation strategies; and farmers’ age, education, and farm size significantly affected rice yield. Hence, policies that can promote increased access to microcredit should be promoted.

Effects of entrepreneurial behaviour on market outlets choice: Evidence from rice producers in Ashanti Region, Ghana

Smallholder rice producers have limited demand for their locally produced rice due to the complex market outlets choice decisions challenges they become confronted with as well as their limited knowledge of appropriate entrepreneurial traits required for successful rice production and marketing. This study assessed the entrepreneurial behaviours of smallholder rice producers in Ashanti region of Ghana. Using multi-stage sampling technique, the study used primary data collected from 200 rice producers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Entrepreneurial behavior index (EBI) and the multivariate probit model were the methods of analysis. The results showed that most rice producers have medium level of risk-taking ability, innovativeness behaviour, proactiveness behaviour, self-confidence, and decision-making ability. Also, majority of the producers consider retailers as the most appropriate market outlet among the diverse market outlet alternatives in the region. In addition, innovative behaviour, self-confidence, and decision-making ability influenced the choice of market outlet by the rice producers. The study recommends that smallholder rice producers should enhance their entrepreneurial competencies through enrollment and participation in social groups and farmer-based workshops to equip them with networking and social skills. Also, programs designed to improve the entrepreneurial skills of smallholder rice farmers should adopt a tailored approach by taking into account the fact that different farmers have different levels of entrepreneurial skills.

Determinants of heterogeneous farmers’ joint adaptation strategies to irrigation-induced landslides on the Loess Plateau, China

Understanding the determinants of farmers’ disaster adaptation is significant for risk reduction. This study explores farmers’ willingness and influencing factors to adopt various agricultural and non-agricultural adaptation measures to mitigate irrigation-induced landslides on the Loess Plateau, northern China. Multivariate probit models are applied to address the joint decision-making of multiple choices considering their inter-correlations, using data from 397 farmer survey questionnaires. The results reveal that farmers’ characteristics, landslide experience, social factors, landslide perception, and the present adaptation situation play important but different roles in their adaptation decisions regarding various measures (drip irrigation, drought-tolerant crops, income diversification, and migration). Heterogeneity among farmers is considered: Government support, social network, and perception of landslide causation are essential in affecting all of the farmers’ adaptation decisions, while the impacts of the annual income, gender, land scale, and risk perception on non-agriculture farmers and full-time or part-time farmers are opposite. Notably, current adaptation hinders farmers’ future actions. The probability of adopting a specific measure is estimated to be higher than that of joint adoption. Barriers to adaptation are also addressed, and policy implications are discussed. This study provides a theoretical and practical reference for mitigating landslide risks that are caused by artificial triggers.

Оценка влияния условий труда и образа жизни на здоровье работников: подход многомерной пробит-модели

This paper attempts to assess the effect of work stress, physical occupational hazards, smoking, alcohol consumption, and low physical activity on the health of Russia’s employed population. For this, a multivariate probit model is used, which makes it possible to reduce the effect of unobserved heterogeneity. The results demonstrate that univariate probit models may underestimate occupational factors and overestimate lifestyle determinants.

Effect Modification by Age and Gender in the Correlation Between Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, and Obesity.

Literature has reported differences in the epidemiology or natural history of non-communicable diseases among both the male and female sexes. Stratification of multimorbidity burden based on sex is crucial to identify and implement targeted prevention and control interventions for chronic diseases. To determine the burden of hypertension, type-2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity; and to compare the related multimorbidity among male and female patients. The study was a retrospective analysis of 375 802 medical records from primary care centers. Data was extracted from March 2022 to March 2023. A multivariate probit estimation methodology was employed using a 3-equations multivariate multiple probit model to jointly estimate the association of a person's sex with the diagnosis of the 3 chronic conditions: obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to allow each unique combination of these 3 chronic diseases. Females had a relatively higher proportion of obesity (58.1% vs 41.2%), obesity and diabetes only (58.9% vs 41.1%), obesity and hypertension (63.6% vs 36.4%), and joint diagnosis with 3 conditions (65.7% vs 34.3%). Females' participants consistently had a significantly higher likelihood of diagnosis compared with males except for diabetes (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.56-0.62) and the combination of only diabetes and hypertension (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.61-0.74). The likelihood of other combinations ranged from 1.04 (95% CI: 0.98-1.10) for only hypertension to 2.30 (95% CI: 2.10-2.53) for the joint diagnosis of all 3 conditions. An increased likelihood of a single or combined occurrence of 3 chronic conditions was observed with increased age. The multimorbidity distribution for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity differs significantly among male and female patients. The overall burden of morbidity, and mortality, however, tends to rise after 46 years of age, with the highest burden among individuals above 60 years of age.

Farmers′ use of climate change adaptation strategies and their impacts on food security in Kenya

Climate change threatens the sustainability of food production among farmers in Kenya who depend on rain‐fed agriculture. To minimize the negative impacts of climate change, farmers have sought to adopt different adaptation strategies. This study investigates factors influencing farmers’ choice of climate change adaptation strategies and associated effects on their food security in Kenya using data collected from 540 farmers from six counties. A multivariate probit, censored least absolute deviation (CLAD), and propensity score matching (PSM) models were employed to identify the determinants in the farmers’ choice of climate change adaptation strategies, the number of adaptation strategies adopted, and the effect of climate change adaptation strategies on their food security, respectively. Results show that planting drought-tolerant crop varieties (55%), growing diversified crops (34%), growing early maturing crops (22%), and diversifying the sources of household income (18%) were the four major adaptation strategies used by the farmers in the study area. Younger farmers and those with higher education levels are more likely to use these climate change adaptation practices. The number of adaptation strategies used was positively associated with male farmers, education level, family size, land size, farm income, extension contact, training, and information access. The farmers who adopt one adaptation strategy have higher food security status (approximately 7–11%) than those who do not. If they adopt two adaptation strategies, their food security status increases by approximately 11–14%; if they adopt three adaptation strategies, their food security status increases by nearly 12–15%; and if they adopt four adaptation practices, their food security status increases by about 14–18%, compared to those who do not adopt any strategy. Thus, the farmers’ climate change adaptation practices have positive food security effects in Kenya according to the number of adaptation strategies adopted.

Factors influencing choice of healthcare facilities utilisation by rural households in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract Understanding the choice of healthcare facility utilisation is essential to the provision of need-based healthcare services to the population. This study was carried out to estimate factors influencing the choice of healthcare facilities utilised by rural households. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 240 rural households comprising 1440 persons. Data were collected with the use of a structured questionnaire and analysed with descriptive techniques and a multivariate probit (MVP) model. The MVP result showed that households supplement public healthcare facilities with private clinics, support traditional medical treatment with self-medication, and replace self-medication with public healthcare facilities and private clinics. Similarly, age, gender, household size, cost of drugs, distance to public healthcare facilities, travelling cost, contact with community health workers, total income, awareness of public health facilities, quality of health facilities, and terrain of health facilities influence the choice of healthcare facilities utilised. The study concluded that increased total income, contact with community health extension workers, awareness of health facilities, and perceived quality of services rendered positively influence the choice of healthcare facilities sorted after while the increase in the cost of drugs, distance to health facilities, travelling cost and difficult terrain of health facilities negatively impact the choice of healthcare facilities utilised. The study recommended that public healthcare facilities should be located within the reach of the people and equipped with essential drugs at a reduced cost. Households should also engage in activities that will increase their income so that they can use better healthcare facilities.

Оценивание влияния высшего образования на здоровье: сравнение многомерной рекурсивной пробит-модели и мэтчинга

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the multivariate recursive probit model and matching as the methods for estimating the treatment effect of higher education on binary indicators of individuals’ health. Statistical evidence has been obtained in favor of the presence of a negative treatment effect of higher education on the probability of a woman suffering from hypertension and obesity and a man assessing his health as very good, as well as a positive effect on the probability of a woman having eye diseases and allergy. It is concluded that it is necessary to estimate the treatment effect in applied research simultaneously by different methods to obtain robust estimates.