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Towards Cleaner Production: Certified Seed Adoption and Its Effect on Technical Efficiency

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  • Muratbek Baglan

    (College of Economics and Management, China Center for Food Security Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Gershom Endelani Mwalupaso

    (College of Economics and Management, China Center for Food Security Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China
    School of Natural Resources, Copperbelt University, Kitwe 10101, Zambia
    Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness, Prince G Academy and Consultancy, Kabwe 10101, Zambia)

  • Xue Zhou

    (College of Economics and Management, China Center for Food Security Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Xianhui Geng

    (College of Economics and Management, China Center for Food Security Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang, Nanjing 210095, China)

Abstract

The implementation of new agricultural technologies has become a driving force for cleaner production on smallholder farms. Particularly, identifying technologies could enhance the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production, both of which are serious challenges. In this context, evaluating the adoption of certified seed and its impact on efficiency gains and waste reduction is highly fundamental for sustainable smallholder food production. This perspective was not always considered in previous studies. We address this research gap using cross-sectional data from wheat farmers in northern Kazakhstan. A multi-stage sampling procedure is employed while the sample-selection stochastic production frontier (SPF) is applied for a robust estimation. Results reveal that increased crop income, access to credit and education positively influence the adoption of certified seed while membership in cooperatives and distance from the market are negative determinants. We also find that adopters are 10.3% “cleaner in production” than non-adopters. A comparison was made between the conventional SPF and the sample-selection SPF to evaluate the credibility of the estimation. It was found that the estimates from the conventional SPF were biased by 10%. This study provides insights into two policy and scholarly questions, namely, how effective the adoption of certified seeds is in promoting cleaner production among wheat farmers and how it can be promoted among wheat farmers. Therefore, our study presents substantial empirical evidence to encourage investment in or to promote certified seed adoption in wheat production.

Suggested Citation

  • Muratbek Baglan & Gershom Endelani Mwalupaso & Xue Zhou & Xianhui Geng, 2020. "Towards Cleaner Production: Certified Seed Adoption and Its Effect on Technical Efficiency," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:4:p:1344-:d:319703
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    2. Thyago de Melo Duarte Borges & Gilberto Miller Devós Ganga & Moacir Godinho Filho & Ivete Delai & Luis Antonio Santa‐Eulalia, 2024. "Cleaner production practices, implementation concerns and measurement: A systematic literature review," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 2402-2423, May.
    3. Małgorzata Pink & Barbara Kiełbasa & Michał Niewiadomski & Katarzyna Piecuch, 2025. "Barriers and Challenges Faced in the Deployment of Principles of the Circular Bioeconomy: Awareness, Knowledge and Practices Based on the Example of Polish Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-22, May.
    4. Panhwar Ghulam Mustafa & Shangao Wang & Gershom Endelani Mwalupaso & Yi Yu & Zhou Li, 2024. "The effect of climate-smart agriculture on productivity and cost efficiency: Insights from smallholder wheat producers in Pakistan," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 70(7), pages 334-348.
    5. Rafay Waseem & Gershom Endelani Mwalupaso & Faria Waseem & Humayoon Khan & Ghulam Mustafa Panhwar & Yangyan Shi, 2020. "Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture Practices in Banana Farm Production: A Study from the Sindh Region of Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-14, May.
    6. Saleh Md. Arman & Cecilia Mark-Herbert, 2021. "Re-Commerce to Ensure Circular Economy from Consumer Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-18, September.
    7. Runqi Lun & Qiyou Luo & Mingjie Gao & Guojing Li & Tengda Wei, 2023. "How to Break the Bottleneck of Potato Production Sustainable Growth—A Survey from Potato Main Producing Areas in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-16, August.
    8. Mwalupaso, Gershom Endelani & Eshetie, Aseres Mamo & Matafwali, Eunice & Akter, Asma & Lu, Hua & Geng, Xianhui, 2025. "Rethinking household food security under a changing climate in drought prone areas of Ethiopia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).

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