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Predicting minimum tillage adoption among smallholder farmers using micro-level and policy variables

Author

Listed:
  • Paswel P. Marenya

    (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT))

  • Menale Kassie

    (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE))

  • Moti Jaleta

    (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT))

  • Dil Bahadur Rahut

    (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT))

  • Olaf Erenstein

    (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT))

Abstract

Minimum tillage combined with mulching (MTM) is critical to conservation agriculture, yet its use by smallholder farmers raises challenging questions regarding adoption, diffusion and scaling at farm level. In this paper, we used probit regression and post-estimation simulations to identify the key micro (farm specific) and macro (country specific) factors as predictors of MTM adoption in four countries spanning a north-south gradient in eastern and southern Africa (ESA): Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. We found that farmers’ access to markets and social capital empirically predicted MTM adoption. Policies that increased fertilizer subsidies and extension-staff-to-farmer ratios had similar effects, even if only modestly. Conceivably, subsidies specifically targeted at MTM could also be considered based on their potential environmental and social benefits. We conclude that adoption of MTM still faces the same micro- and macro-level hurdles common to all agricultural technologies. Long-term investments in agricultural extension and reductions in the costs of complementary inputs are critical for the diffusion of MTM.

Suggested Citation

  • Paswel P. Marenya & Menale Kassie & Moti Jaleta & Dil Bahadur Rahut & Olaf Erenstein, 2017. "Predicting minimum tillage adoption among smallholder farmers using micro-level and policy variables," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 5(1), pages 1-22, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:agfoec:v:5:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1186_s40100-017-0081-1
    DOI: 10.1186/s40100-017-0081-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Preusse, Verena & Wollni, Meike, 2021. "Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in the context of urbanisation and environmental stress – Evidence from farmers in the rural-urban interface of Bangalore, India," 2021 Annual Meeting, August 1-3, Austin, Texas 312690, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    2. Lindumusa Myeni & Mokhele Moeletsi & Mulalo Thavhana & Mulalo Randela & Lebohang Mokoena, 2019. "Barriers Affecting Sustainable Agricultural Productivity of Smallholder Farmers in the Eastern Free State of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-18, May.
    3. William Adzawla & Hamdiyah Alhassan, 2021. "Effects of climate adaptation on technical efficiency of maize production in Northern Ghana," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Khethiwe Naledi Mthethwa & Mjabuliseni Simon Cloapas Ngidi & Temitope Oluwaseun Ojo & Simphiwe Innocentia Hlatshwayo, 2022. "The Determinants of Adoption and Intensity of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices among Smallholder Maize Farmers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Mpande, Brian, 2021. "The impact of conservation agriculture adoption on farmer welfare: a comparative assessment of Kenya and Tanzani," Research Theses 334745, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Adoption; Agricultural extension; Conservation agriculture; Policy; Input subsidy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets

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