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Village networks and entrepreneurial farming in Uganda

Author

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  • D’Exelle, Ben
  • Verschoor, Arjan

Abstract

The transition from semi-subsistence farming to more entrepreneurial farming by the adoption of new crops or improved seeds is important for poverty reduction in developing countries. In rural societies, farmers’ propensity to experiment with new technologies is influenced by their access to information and support, provided by networks of friends and relatives. Considering that the same connection can share both information and support, we study the separate effects as well as the interaction of both network functions. Using two waves of data from a sample of Ugandan farmers, we find that the propensity to adopt new crops or improved seeds increases with the number of friends or relatives who adopted new crops or improved seeds before. The effect on the adoption of new crops is stronger if the same friends or relatives also provide support in the form of gifts or loans. At the same time, we find a positive effect of support that is conditional on friends or relatives having adopted new crops before.

Suggested Citation

  • D’Exelle, Ben & Verschoor, Arjan, 2023. "Village networks and entrepreneurial farming in Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:167:y:2023:i:c:s0305750x23000591
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2023.106241
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agricultural innovation; Social networks; Uganda;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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