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Do neighbours matter in technology adoption? The case of conservation tillage in northwest Ethiopia

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  • Tessema, Yohannis Mulu
  • Asafu-Adjaye, John
  • Kassie, Menale
  • Mallawaarachchi, Thilak

Abstract

Conservation tillage (CT) is one of the practices promoted to enhance sustainable agricultural production and the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers. It is a new farming practice for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Lack of information on the existence and use of the technology, as well as its profitability, could deter its adoption. This paper examines the role of social learning in the adoption of CT in rural northwest Ethiopia. We used a spatial econometric model on crosssectional plot-level survey data to achieve this objective. The results show that neighbour effect is a significant determinant of CT adoption in the study area. This suggests that the adoption of CT is occurring through neighbourhood effects, and that considering progressive farmers when designing technology-promotion programmes can speed up the adoption process.

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  • Tessema, Yohannis Mulu & Asafu-Adjaye, John & Kassie, Menale & Mallawaarachchi, Thilak, 2016. "Do neighbours matter in technology adoption? The case of conservation tillage in northwest Ethiopia," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 11(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:afjare:245940
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.245940
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    8. Mugula, Joseph J & Ahmad, Athman Kyaruzi & Msinde, John & Kadigi, Michael, 2023. "Determinants of Adoption of Bundled Sustainable Agriculture Practices among Small-Scale Maize Farmers in Mvomero and Kilosa Districts, Tanzania," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 11(4), September.
    9. Wang, Zhenhua & Liu, Qiaochu & Yang, Jian & Jiang, Jinqi, 2021. "Can Technology Demonstration Promote Rural Households’ Adoption of Conservation Tillage in the Main Grain-Producing Areas of China?," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315171, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    10. Ambali, Omotuyole I. & Areal, Francisco J. & Georgantzis, Nikolaos & Oyetunde-Usman, Zainab, 2021. "Examining the Role of Spatially-Dependent Time Preference in Improved Rice Technology Adoption Decisions," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315286, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
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