The Impacts of Technology Adoption on Smallholder Agricultural Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review
22 Jul 2012-Journal of Sustainable Development (Canadian Center of Science and Education (CCSE))-Vol. 5, Iss: 8, pp 69
TL;DR: In this article, a review article on the impacts of technology adoption on agricultural productivity in smallholder agriculture in the sub-Saharan African region is presented, where the authors identify the factors affecting technology adoption are assets, income, institutions, vulnerability, awareness, labour, and innovativeness by smallholder farmers.
Abstract: This paper is a review article on the impacts of technology adoption on agricultural productivity in smallholder agriculture in the sub-Saharan African region. The use of agricultural technologies determines how the increase in agricultural output impacts on poverty levels and environmental degradation. Experience and evidence from countries within and around the sub-Saharan African region indicate that returns to agricultural technology development could be very high and far reaching. The factors affecting technology adoption are assets, income, institutions, vulnerability, awareness, labour, and innovativeness by smallholder farmers. Technologies that require few assets, have a lower risk premium, and are less expensive have a higher chance of being adopted by smallholder farmers. There are certain traditional smallholder agricultural technologies in sub-Saharan Africa that also have their own merits. Some of these technologies are more efficient in their use of scarce production resources than modern technologies. Modern researchers should therefore seek to understand the rationale behind traditional smallholder farmer behaviour in technology use. This will make their future technological interventions in smallholder agriculture more effective.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the potential factors that influence agricultural technology adoption in developing countries are reviewed by reviewing previous studies done on technology adoption and the authors recommend the future studies on adoption to widen the range of variables used by including perception of farmers towards new technology.
Abstract: Agricultural technologies are seen as an important route out of poverty in most of the developing countries. However the rate of adoption of these technologies has remained low in most of these countries. This study aim at shedding some light on the potential factors that influence agricultural technology adoption in developing countries. It does so by reviewing previous studies done on technology adoption. From the study technological, economic, institutional factors and human specific factors are found to be the determinants of agricultural technology adoption. The study recommend the future studies on adoption to widen the range of variables used by including perception of farmers towards new technology. Keywords: Technology, Adoption, smallholder
311 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a multivariate probit model was used to assess the determinants of farmer adaptation behavior to climate risks and the relative contribution of information, credit and education on the probability of adopting specific practices in response to adverse changes in weather patterns.
Abstract: Why do many smallholder farmers fail to adopt what appear to be relatively simple agronomic or management practices which can help them cope with climate-induced stressors? Using household and plot level data collected in 2011, we implement a multivariate probit model to assess the determinants of farmer adaptation behavior to climatic risks and the relative contribution of information, credit and education on the probability of adopting specific practices in response to adverse changes in weather patterns. We find that plot characteristics, credit constraints and availability of climate-related information explain the adoption of several of these practices. In relative terms, we also find that even when financial limitations are binding, making climate-related information available can still motivate farmers to adapt. Policy implications are that the deepening of extension access with information on the appropriate adaptation strategies is crucial to help farmers make adaptation choices. The need to foster credit markets for easy accessibility and affordability by farmers or otherwise strengthening access to assets is also important.
109 citations
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TL;DR: In Africa, low fertility and inefficient management of sub-Saharan African soils have been the major challenges facing productivity among smallholder farmers as discussed by the authors. Unfortunately, inorganic fertiliser used as major...
Abstract: Low fertility and inefficient management of sub-Saharan African soils have been the major challenges facing productivity among smallholder farmers. Unfortunately, inorganic fertiliser used as major...
41 citations
Cites background from "The Impacts of Technology Adoption ..."
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that low-tech approaches, despite generating lower yields, may be best positioned to improve food security as a basis for sustainable agriculture, and that advanced technology adoption by smallholders can become a choice, dependent on the containment of ecological risks, rather than a survivalist strategy.
Abstract: This paper argues that input-intensity and a lack of democratic control over the conditions for advanced technology adoption indicates that low-tech approaches, despite generating lower yields, may be best positioned to improve food security as a basis for sustainable agriculture. Advanced technology adoption by smallholders can become a choice, dependent on the containment of ecological risks, rather than a survivalist strategy. We examine research led by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and make clear that public-sector research and the international organizations can significantly contribute to the adoption of evidence-based policies that support context-specific combinations of low- and high-tech approaches.
38 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined factors affecting adoption of improved rice varieties by smallholder farmers in Northern Sindh, Pakistan using face-to-face interviews and a probit regression model.
Abstract: Adoption of certified and improved high-yielding crop varieties is important avenue for increasing agricultural productivity and improving the living standard of the farmers in developing countries. The main objective of the current study was to examine factors affecting adoption of improved rice varieties by smallholder farmers in Northern Sindh, Pakistan. The random sampling technique was used to collect data from 220 smallholder rice farmers through the face to face interview. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression model. The empirical results showed that year of education ( P ≤ 0.093), farming experience ( P ≤ 0.043), soil quality ( P ≤ 0.077), farm machinery ownership ( P ≤ 0.000), access to market information ( P ≤ 0.055) and contact with extension agents ( P ≤ 0.006) had significantly positive influence on adoption of improved rice variety, while age ( P ≤ 0.053) had significantly negative effect.
34 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess the relationship between property rights and technology adoption in smallholder agriculture, and propose a conceptual framework for natural resource management based on property rights, collective action, and technologies for natural resources management.
Abstract: Contents: List of Figures List of Tables Foreword Preface1: Introduction RUTH MEINZEN-DICK, ANNA KNOX, BRENT SWALLOW, AND FRANK PLACE2: Property Rights, Collective Action, and Technologies for Natural Resource Management: A Conceptual Framework ANNA KNOX, RUTH MEINZEN-DICK, AND PETER HAZEL3: Assessing the Relationships between Property Rights and Technology Adoption in Smallholder Agriculture: Issues and Empirical Methods FRANK PLACE AND BRENT SWALLOW4: The Role of Tenure in the Management of Trees at the Community Level: Theoretical and Empirical Analyses from Uganda and Malawi FRANK PLACE AND KEIJIRO OTSUKA5: Measuring the Production Efficiency of Alternative Land Tenure Contracts in a Mixed Crop-Livestock System in Ethiopia SARAH GAVIAN AND SIMEON EHUI6: Land Tenure and the Adoption of Agricultural Technology in Haiti GLENN R. SMUCKER, T. ANDERSON WHITE, AND MICHAEL BANNISTER7: Tribes, State, and Technology Adoption in Arid Land Management JONATHAN RAE, GEORGE ARAB, THOMAS NORDBLOM, KHALIL JANI, AND GUSTAVE GINTZBURGER8: Land Dispute Resolution in Mozambique: Evidence and Institutions of Agroforestry Technology Adoption JON D. UNRUH9: Between Market Failure, Policy Failure, and "Community Failure": Crop-Livestock Conflicts and Technology Adoption in Sri Lanka REGINA BIRNER AND HASANTHA GUNAWEERA10: Organizational Development and Natural Resource Management: Evidence from Central Honduras JOHN PENDER AND SARA J. SCHERR11: Collective Action in Space: Assessing How Cooperation and Collective Action Vary across an African Landscape BRENT SWALLOW, JUSTINE WANGILA, WOUDYALEW MULATU, ONYANGO OKELLO, AND NANCY McCARTHY12: Collective Action in Ant Control HELE MUNK RAVNBORG, ANA MILENA DE LA CRUZ REBOLLEDO, MARIA DEL PILAR GUERRERO, AND OLAF WESTERMANN13: Institutions and teh Intensification of Cattle-Feeding Techniques: A Village Case Study in Kenya's Coast Province KIMBERLY A. SWALLOW14: Conclusions and Policy Implications ANNA KNOX, RUTH MEINZEN-DICK, BRENT SWALLOW, AND FRANK PLACE
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"The Impacts of Technology Adoption ..." refers background in this paper
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the results of field work and other research from numerous parts of Africa, with a particular focus on Botswana, Ethiopia, Niger, Rwanda, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
Abstract: Though famine has affected many parts of the world in the twentieth century, the conditions that produce famine—extreme poverty, armed conflict, economic and political turmoil, and climate shocks—are now most prevalent in Africa. Researchers differ on how to address this problem effectively, but their arguments are often not informed by empirical analysis from a famine context. Broadening current theories and models of development for conquering famine, Famine in Africa grounds its findings in long-term empirical research, especially on the impact of famine on households and markets. The authors present the results of field work and other research from numerous parts of Africa, with a particular focus on Botswana, Ethiopia, Niger, Rwanda, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. With these data, the authors explain the factors that cause famines and assess efforts to mitigate and prevent them. Famine in Africa is an important resource for international development specialists, students, and policymakers.
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01 Jul 1997
TL;DR: The nature of intercropping and the social and economic implications of agricultural practices are discussed in this article, where the Earth's soil and its future are discussed. And a survey of inter-cropping practices in the Christiana area of Jamaica is presented.
Abstract: Introduction vi 1 The nature of intercropping 1 2 Intercropping in the Christiana area of Jamaica 34 3 Intercropping in Nepal 66 4 Intercropping in India 76 5 The Earth's soil and its future 102 6 Social and economic implications of agricultural practices 107 Appendix 1, Land equivalent ratios 113 Appendix 2, Plant names 163 Bibliography 165
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