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A bio-economic analysis of the benefits of conservation agriculture: The case of smallholder farmers in Adami Tulu district, Ethiopia

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  • Tessema, Yohannis
  • Asafu-Adjaye, John
  • Rodriguez, Daniel
  • Mallawaarachchi, Thilak
  • Shiferaw, Bekele

Abstract

This study analyses the potential impact of conservation agriculture (CA) and its binding constraints for adoption in smallholder farming systems in a drought-prone district of central Ethiopia. We develop a dynamic household bio-economic model by taking into account the existing farming system, resource constraints and market imperfections. Climate-induced production risk is introduced into the model by estimating a weather-specific production function using data generated from a crop simulation model. It is found that the full package of CA, which consists of minimum tillage, mulching and crop diversification, does not appear to be in the best interest of smallholder farmers. However, loosely defined CA practises such as sole maize production with conservation tillage and maize–bean intercropping with conventional tillage, which are not currently practised in the study area, are likely to be adopted by the farmers. The results further demonstrate that time preference, risk aversion, limited credit and market access are key constraints to CA uptake. However, merely addressing these constraints may be insufficient incentives for smallholder farmers to fully adopt CA practises. It is important to identify conditions under which the full package CA can be effectively adopted before it is widely promoted.

Suggested Citation

  • Tessema, Yohannis & Asafu-Adjaye, John & Rodriguez, Daniel & Mallawaarachchi, Thilak & Shiferaw, Bekele, 2015. "A bio-economic analysis of the benefits of conservation agriculture: The case of smallholder farmers in Adami Tulu district, Ethiopia," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 164-174.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:120:y:2015:i:c:p:164-174
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.10.020
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    1. 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).
    2. Mekonnen, Hiwot & Kebede, Kaleab & Hasen, Musa & Tegegne, Bosena, 2016. "Farmer’s Perception of Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia," Problems of World Agriculture / Problemy Rolnictwa Światowego, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, vol. 16(31), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Koffi M. Adji & Aklesso Y. G. Egbendewe & Boris O. K. Lokonon, 2022. "Potential impacts of sustainable agricultural practices on smallholders' behavior in developing countries: Evidence from Togo," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 46(1), pages 73-87, February.
    4. Zewdu Ayalew Abro & Moti Jaleta & Hailemariam Teklewold, 2018. "Does Intensive Tillage Enhance Productivity and Reduce Risk Exposure? Panel Data Evidence from Smallholders’ Agriculture in Ethiopia," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 69(3), pages 756-776, September.
    5. Issahaku, Gazali & Abdulai, Awudu, 2020. "Adoption of climate-smart practices and its impact on farm performance and risk exposure among smallholder farmers in Ghana," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 64(2), April.
    6. Yang, Xin & Zhou, Xiaohe & Deng, Xiangzheng, 2022. "Modeling farmers’ adoption of low-carbon agricultural technology in Jianghan Plain, China: An examination of the theory of planned behavior," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    7. Lalani, Baqir & Dorward, Peter & Holloway, Garth, 2017. "Farm-level Economic Analysis - Is Conservation Agriculture Helping the Poor?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 144-153.
    8. Wondimagegn Tesfaye & Garrick Blalock & Nyasha Tirivayi, 2021. "Climate‐Smart Innovations and Rural Poverty in Ethiopia: Exploring Impacts and Pathways," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(3), pages 878-899, May.

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