IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/ags/iaae24/344235.html

Seed innovations and performance of African indigenous vegetables producers: Evidence from Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Alulu, Joseph
  • Muendo, Kavoi
  • Mbeche, Robert
  • Mithöfer, Dagmar

Abstract

Rapidly expanding population, increasing urbanization, climate change and declining arable land pose a threat to food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Efficiency in agricultural production thus becomes an integral aspect. Seed is a fundamental input, however, seed systems in SSA, more so in underutilized crops such as African Indigenous Vegetables (AIV) remain to be constraining. Using household-level data from 445 AIV producing households in Kenya, this study sought to assess the association between seed innovations and performance, as measured by efficiency and income. The study employs bias-corrected Stochastic Meta-Frontier Approach to estimate technical efficiency (TE), allocative efficiency (AE), economic efficiency (EE) and technology gap ratios (TGRs) while accounting for potential technological heterogeneity as well as self-selection bias. We also implement Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment (IPWRA) for association between seed innovations and income. Results suggest that adopters of seed innovations outperform their non-adopter counterparts on average in both meta-technical, allocative and economic efficiencies and income.

Suggested Citation

  • Alulu, Joseph & Muendo, Kavoi & Mbeche, Robert & Mithöfer, Dagmar, 2024. "Seed innovations and performance of African indigenous vegetables producers: Evidence from Kenya," IAAE 2024 Conference, August 2-7, 2024, New Delhi, India 344235, International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iaae24:344235
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.344235
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/344235/files/21470.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.22004/ag.econ.344235?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nalley, Lawton Lanier & Barkely, Andrew & Watkins, Brad & Hignight, Jeffrey A., 2009. "Enhancing Farm Profitability through Portfolio Analysis: The Case of Spatial Rice Variety Selection," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 41(3), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Sreejith Aravindakshan & Frederick Rossi & T. S. Amjath-Babu & Prakashan Chellattan Veettil & Timothy J. Krupnik, 2018. "Application of a bias-corrected meta-frontier approach and an endogenous switching regression to analyze the technical efficiency of conservation tillage for wheat in South Asia," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 49(2), pages 153-171, June.
    3. Maria Martinez Cillero & Fiona Thorne & Michael Wallace & James Breen & Thia Hennessy, 2018. "The Effects of Direct Payments on Technical Efficiency of Irish Beef Farms: A Stochastic Frontier Analysis," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 69(3), pages 669-687, September.
    4. Stein T. Holden, 2019. "Economics of Farm Input Subsidies in Africa," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 11(1), pages 501-522, October.
    5. Susan Athey & Guido W. Imbens, 2017. "The State of Applied Econometrics: Causality and Policy Evaluation," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 31(2), pages 3-32, Spring.
    6. Tripp, Robert & Rohrbach, David, 2001. "Policies for African seed enterprise development," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 147-161, April.
    7. Shawn McGuire & Louise Sperling, 2016. "Seed systems smallholder farmers use," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(1), pages 179-195, February.
    8. Shawn McGuire & Louise Sperling, 2016. "Seed systems smallholder farmers use," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(1), pages 179-195, February.
    9. Fissha Asmare & Jūratė Jaraitė & Andrius Kažukauskas, 2022. "Climate change adaptation and productive efficiency of subsistence farming: A bias‐corrected panel data stochastic frontier approach," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(3), pages 739-760, September.
    10. Mywish K. Maredia & Robert Shupp & Edward Opoku & Fulgence Mishili & Byron Reyes & Paul Kusolwa & Francis Kusi & Abdul Kudra, 2019. "Farmer perception and valuation of seed quality: Evidence from bean and cowpea seed auctions in Tanzania and Ghana," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 50(4), pages 495-507, July.
    11. Emily Oster, 2019. "Unobservable Selection and Coefficient Stability: Theory and Evidence," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(2), pages 187-204, April.
    12. Jonathan R. McFadden & Alicia Rosburg & Eric Njuki, 2022. "Information inputs and technical efficiency in midwest corn production: evidence from farmers' use of yield and soil maps," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 104(2), pages 589-612, March.
    13. repec:ags:joaaec:163230 is not listed on IDEAS
    14. Voss, Rachel C. & Jansen, Tony & Mané, Bacary & Shennan, Carol, 2021. "Encouraging technology adoption using ICTs and farm trials in Senegal: Lessons for gender equity and scaled impact," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    15. Maria Martinez Cillero & Michael Wallace & Fiona Thorne & James Breen, 2021. "Analyzing the Impact of Subsidies on Beef Production Efficiency in Selected European Union Countries. A Stochastic Metafrontier Approach," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(5), pages 1903-1923, October.
    16. Kanslime, Monica K. & Karanja, Daniel K. & Alokit, Christine & Ochieng, Justus, 2018. "Derived demand for African indigenous vegetable seed: implications for farmer-seed entrepreneurship development," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 21(6), July.
    17. Leeb, Hannes & Pötscher, Benedikt M., 2008. "Can One Estimate The Unconditional Distribution Of Post-Model-Selection Estimators?," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(2), pages 338-376, April.
    18. Watkins, K. Bradley & Hristovska, Tatjana & Mazzanti, Ralph & Wilson, Charles E. Jr & Schmidt, Lance, 2014. "Measurement of Technical, Allocative, Economic, and Scale Efficiency of Rice Production in Arkansas Using Data Envelopment Analysis," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 46(01), pages 1-18, February.
    19. Watkins, K. Bradley & Hristovska, Tatjana & Mazzanti, Ralph & Wilson, Charles E. & Schmidt, Lance, 2014. "Measurement of Technical, Allocative, Economic, and Scale Efficiency of Rice Production in Arkansas Using Data Envelopment Analysis," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 46(1), pages 89-106, February.
    20. Ho, Daniel E. & Imai, Kosuke & King, Gary & Stuart, Elizabeth A., 2007. "Matching as Nonparametric Preprocessing for Reducing Model Dependence in Parametric Causal Inference," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 199-236, July.
    21. Christopher O’Donnell & D. Rao & George Battese, 2008. "Metafrontier frameworks for the study of firm-level efficiencies and technology ratios," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 34(2), pages 231-255, March.
    22. Bernhard Dalheimer & Christoph Kubitza & Bernhard Brümmer, 2022. "Technical efficiency and farmland expansion: Evidence from oil palm smallholders in Indonesia," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 104(4), pages 1364-1387, August.
    23. Morais, Manoela & Binotto, Erlaine & Borges, João Augusto Rossi, 2017. "Identifying beliefs underlying successors’ intention to take over the farm," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 48-58.
    24. J.P.B. Lillesø & C. Harwood & Abayneh Derero & L. Graudal & J. M. Roshetko & R. Kindt & S. Moestrup & W. O. Omondi & N. Holtne & A. Mbora & P. van Breugel & I. K. Dawson & R. Jamnadass & H. Egelyng, 2018. "Why institutional environments for agroforestry seed systems matter," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 36(S1), pages 89-112, March.
    25. Abebayehu Girma Geffersa & Frank Wogbe Agbola & Amir Mahmood, 2022. "Modelling technical efficiency and technology gap in smallholder maize sector in Ethiopia: accounting for farm heterogeneity," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(5), pages 506-521, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. repec:ags:cfcp15:344235 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Myat Thida Win & Mywish K. Maredia & Duncan Boughton, 2023. "Farmer demand for certified legume seeds and the viability of farmer seed enterprises: Evidence from Myanmar," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(2), pages 555-569, April.
    3. Adu-Gyamfi Poku & Regina Birner & Saurabh Gupta, 2018. "Why do maize farmers in Ghana have a limited choice of improved seed varieties? An assessment of the governance challenges in seed supply," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(1), pages 27-46, February.
    4. Berber Kramer & Carly Trachtman, 2024. "Gender dynamics in seed systems: an integrative review of seed promotion interventions in Africa," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 16(1), pages 19-45, February.
    5. Borman, Gareth Denis & Mastenbroek, Astrid & Rodier, Christophe & Thijssen, Marja Helen & Aga, Amsalu Ayana & Abate, Legesse & Adong, Christine Joyce & Menya, Christine Kawuma & Oyee, Patrick & Subedi, 2025. "Farmer seed enterprise revisited: Local seed business models in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Myanmar," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    6. Spielman, David J. & Gatto, Marcel & Wossen, Tesfamicheal & McEwan, Margaret & Abdoulaye, Tahirou & Maredia, Mywish K. & Hareau, Guy, 2025. "Policy and regulation in seed sector development for vegetatively propagated crops: Insights from Kenya, Nigeria, and Vietnam," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    7. Takeshima, Hiroyuki & Ragasa, Catherine & Bamiwuye, Temilolu & Andam, Kwaw S. & Spielman, David J. & Omoigui, Lucky, 2025. "The characteristics of community seed schemes for grains and legumes: Insights from northern Nigeria," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    8. de Boef, Walter Simon & Thijssen, Marja Helen & Borman, Gareth Denis & Kusters, Cecile & Schaap, Mirjam & Subedi, Abishkar & Hassena, Mohammed & Gelmesa, Dandena & Kassa, Nugus & Teshome, Tadesse & Si, 2025. "Integrated seed sector development in Africa: Adaptation of the approach in national seed programs," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    9. Okello, Julius & Shikuku, Kelvin Mashisia & Lagerkvist, Carl Johan & Rommel, Jens & Jogo, Wellington & Ojwang, Sylvester & Namanda, Sam & Elungat, James, 2023. "Social incentives as nudges for agricultural knowledge diffusion and willingness to pay for certified seeds: Experimental evidence from Uganda," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    10. Fred Rattunde & Eva Weltzien & Mamourou Sidibé & Abdoulaye Diallo & Bocar Diallo & Kirsten vom Brocke & Baloua Nebié & Aboubacar Touré & Yalaly Traoré & Amadou Sidibé & Chiaka Diallo & Soriba Diakité , 2021. "Transforming a traditional commons-based seed system through collaborative networks of farmer seed-cooperatives and public breeding programs: the case of sorghum in Mali," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(2), pages 561-578, June.
    11. Silvia Saravia-Matus & T. S. Amjath-Babu & Sreejith Aravindakshan & Stefan Sieber & Jimmy A. Saravia & Sergio Gomez y Paloma, 2021. "Can Enhancing Efficiency Promote the Economic Viability of Smallholder Farmers? A Case of Sierra Leone," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.
    12. Fredrick Bagamba & Proscovia R. Ntakyo & Geoffrey Otim & David J. Spielman & Bjorn Van Campenhout, 2023. "Policy and performance in Uganda's seed sector: Opportunities and challenges," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(3), May.
    13. Nguyen Thi Chau & Tofael Ahamed, 2022. "Analyzing Factors That Affect Rice Production Efficiency and Organic Fertilizer Choices in Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-11, July.
    14. Thomas Pircher & Conny J. M. Almekinders, 2021. "Making sense of farmers’ demand for seed of root, tuber and banana crops: a systematic review of methods," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(5), pages 1285-1301, October.
    15. Sansone, Dario, 2019. "Pink work: Same-sex marriage, employment and discrimination," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    16. Mabaya, Edward & Kachule, Richard & Waithaka, Michael & Mugoya, Mainza & Kanyenji, George & Tihanyi, Krisztina, "undated". "Malawi Country Report 2020," TASAI: The African Seed Access Index-Reports 317014, TASAI: The African Seed Access Index.
    17. Paul Rachkara & David Paul Phillips & Stephen Wamala Kalule & Richard William Gibson, 2017. "Innovative and beneficial informal sweetpotato seed private enterprise in northern Uganda," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 9(3), pages 595-610, June.
    18. Michael Funke & Helery Tasane, 2025. "Regional economic impacts of the Øresund cross-border fixed link: Cui Bono?," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(1), pages 2573115-257, December.
    19. Paul Vincelli, 2016. "Genetic Engineering and Sustainable Crop Disease Management: Opportunities for Case-by-Case Decision-Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-22, May.
    20. Tho, Le Canh Bich & Umetsu, Chieko, 2024. "Aromatic rice production and sustainability in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta: a slack-based measure from data envelopment analysis," IAAE 2024 Conference, August 2-7, 2024, New Delhi, India 344329, International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE).
    21. Waithaka, Michael & Mugoya, Mainza & Mabaya, Edward & Tihanyi, Krisztina, "undated". "Decentralized Seed Services in Africa: An Assessment of Tanzania and Uganda," Working Papers 309806, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:ags:iaae24:344235. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: AgEcon Search (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/iaaeeea.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.