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Motivations and Mental Models Associated with Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technology: Evidence from Use of Quality Seed Potato in Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Julius Okello

    (SSA Regional Office)

  • Yuan Zhou

    (Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture)

  • Ian Barker

    (Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture)

  • Elmar Schulte-Geldermann

    (SSA Regional Office)

Abstract

Potato is a major food staple that makes a significant contribution to food security, having potential to smooth the volatility in food prices resulting from recent episodes of global food price increases. Despite its importance, most potato growers continue to use poor-quality seed, normally obtained from local/community sources. This study uses means-end chain theory to examine the drivers of use of quality seed potato, and the mental models associated with quality seed potato use. It finds that the decision to purchase and use quality seed is driven by deep-seated life goals that farmers pursue, and that profit-making is merely a means to these end/life goals. It further finds that the structure of mental models differs by the gender of the adopter and between adopters and nonadopters. The study concludes that the structure and content of farmers’ mental models differ by farmer type. The implications of the study findings for policy are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Julius Okello & Yuan Zhou & Ian Barker & Elmar Schulte-Geldermann, 2019. "Motivations and Mental Models Associated with Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technology: Evidence from Use of Quality Seed Potato in Kenya," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(2), pages 271-292, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:31:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1057_s41287-018-0152-5
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-018-0152-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Thomas Pircher & Conny J. M. Almekinders, 2021. "Making sense of farmers’ demand for seed of root, tuber and banana crops: a systematic review of methods," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(5), pages 1285-1301, October.
    3. Diane Kapgen & Laurence Roudart, 2022. "A Multidisciplinary Approach to Assess Smallholder Farmers' Adoption of New Technologies in Development Interventions," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/345825, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Kai Mausch & Dave Harris & Javier Revilla Diez, 2021. "Rural Aspirations: Reflections for Development Planning, Design and Localized Effects," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(4), pages 795-808, August.
    5. Zeng, Yangmei & He, Ke & Zhang, Junbiao & Li, Ping, 2023. "Adoption and ex-post impacts of sustainable manure management practices on income and happiness: Evidence from swine breeding farmers in rural Hubei, China," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    6. Diane Kapgen & Laurence Roudart, 2023. "A Multidisciplinary Approach to Assess Smallholder Farmers' Adoption of New Technologies in Development Interventions," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 35(4), pages 974-995, August.
    7. Christine Wamuyu Mwangi & Josiah Ateka & Robert Mbeche & Luke Oyugi & Elijah Ateka, 2022. "Comparing farmers’ willingness to pay with costs of clean sweet potato seed multiplication in Kenya," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(5), pages 1279-1293, October.
    8. Simon Heck & Hugo Campos & Ian Barker & Julius J. Okello & Arun Baral & Erick Boy & Lynn Brown & Ekin Birol, 2020. "Resilient agri-food systems for nutrition amidst COVID-19: evidence and lessons from food-based approaches to overcome micronutrient deficiency and rebuild livelihoods after crises," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(4), pages 823-830, August.
    9. Luke Dilley & Kai Mausch & Mary Crossland & Dave Harris, 2021. "What’s the Story on Agriculture? Using Narratives to Understand Farming Households’ Aspirations in Meru, Kenya," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(4), pages 1091-1114, August.

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