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What is technology adoption? Exploring the agricultural research value chain for smallholder farmers in Lao PDR

Author

Listed:
  • Kim S. Alexander

    (James Cook University, Townsville Campus)

  • Garry Greenhalgh

    (James Cook University, Townsville Campus)

  • Magnus Moglia

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Manithaythip Thephavanh

    (National Agricultural and Forestry Institute)

  • Phonevilay Sinavong

    (National Agricultural and Forestry Institute)

  • Silva Larson

    (James Cook University, Townsville Campus)

  • Tom Jovanovic

    (James Cook University, Townsville Campus)

  • Peter Case

    (James Cook University, Townsville Campus
    University of the West of England (UWE))

Abstract

A common and driving assumption in agricultural research is that the introduction of research trials, new practices and innovative technologies will result in technology adoption, and will subsequently generate benefits for farmers and other stakeholders. In Lao PDR, the potential benefits of introduced technologies have not been fully realised by beneficiaries. We report on an analysis of a survey of 735 smallholder farmers in Southern Lao PDR who were questioned about factors that influenced their decisions to adopt new technologies. In this study, we have constructed measures or states of adoption which identify key elements of an adoption decision-making nexus. Analysis was conducted to statistically group explanatory factors of adoption. The key explanatory factors represented attributes of the farmer, the factors considered when undertaking production decisions and elements of the agricultural value chain that present as opportunities or constraints. We describe the combination of farmer’s personal attributes, perceptions of the value chain, and the introduction of new technologies by external actors as an “agricultural research value chain”, where agricultural research activities intervene to derive greater benefits for local farmers. A generalised linear model, via Poisson (multiple) regression analysis on the identified explanatory factors, was applied to explore how they influence adoption measures and we found several significant relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim S. Alexander & Garry Greenhalgh & Magnus Moglia & Manithaythip Thephavanh & Phonevilay Sinavong & Silva Larson & Tom Jovanovic & Peter Case, 2020. "What is technology adoption? Exploring the agricultural research value chain for smallholder farmers in Lao PDR," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 37(1), pages 17-32, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:37:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10460-019-09957-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-019-09957-8
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    3. Phimmasone Sisouvanh & Vidhaya Trelo-ges & Supat Isarangkool Na Ayutthaya & Alain Pierret & Naoise Nunan & Norbert Silvera & Khampaseuth Xayyathip & Christian Hartmann, 2021. "Can Organic Amendments Improve Soil Physical Characteristics and Increase Maize Performances in Contrasting Soil Water Regimes?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Hongyu Wang & Xiaolei Wang & Apurbo Sarkar & Lu Qian, 2021. "Evaluating the Impacts of Smallholder Farmer’s Participation in Modern Agricultural Value Chain Tactics for Facilitating Poverty Alleviation—A Case Study of Kiwifruit Industry in Shaanxi, China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-19, May.
    5. Annosi, Maria Carmela & Ráez, Rosa María Oliva & Appio, Francesco Paolo & Del Giudice, Teresa, 2022. "An integrative review of innovations in the agricultural sector: The roles of agency, structure, and their dynamic interplay," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    6. Yuying Liu & Kaiyao Shi & Ziqi Liu & Ling Qiu & Yan Wang & Hao Liu & Xinhong Fu, 2022. "The Effect of Technical Training Provided by Agricultural Cooperatives on Farmers’ Adoption of Organic Fertilizers in China: Based on the Mediation Role of Ability and Perception," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-20, November.
    7. Faustina Obeng Adomaa & Sietze Vellema & Maja Slingerland & Richard Asare, 2022. "The adoption problem is a matter of fit: tracing the travel of pruning practices from research to farm in Ghana’s cocoa sector," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(3), pages 921-935, September.
    8. Martin, Inès & Vranken, Liesbet & Ugás, Roberto, 2021. "Farmers’ Preferences to Cultivate Threatened Crop Varieties: Evidence from Peru," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315216, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
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