IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/ags/miffrp/259076.html

Farm Family Effects Of Improved Sorghum Varieties In Mali: A Multivalued Treatment Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Smale, Melinda
  • Assima, Amidou
  • Kergna, Alpha
  • Thériault, Veronique
  • Weltzien, Eva

Abstract

Uptake of improved sorghum varieties in Mali has been limited, despite the economic importance of the crop and long-term investments in sorghum improvement. One reason why is that attaining yield advantages that are substantial enough for farmers to discern in their own fields is difficult in a harsh, heterogeneous growing environment. Release of the first sorghum hybrids developed in Mali, which were developed primarily from the local Guinea race using a participatory approach, has the potential to change this situation. Here, we explore the adoption of improved sorghum seed with an ordered logit model, differentiating between improved varieties and hybrids. We then apply a multivalued treatment effects model to measure impacts on farm families. We utilize primary data collected from 628 farm family enterprises in the Sudanian Savanna region of Mali. Reflecting the fact that farm family enterprises both consume and sell their sorghum harvests, we consider effects on consumption outcomes as well as yield. We find that plot manager characteristics, in addition to household wealth and labor supply, are strongly and positively related to the improvement status of sorghum seed planted. The impact of hybrid use on yields is large and significant, positively affecting household dietary diversity and contributing to a greater share of the harvest sold. However, use of hybrids, as well as improved varieties, is associated with a shift toward consumption of other cereals. Findings support on-farm experimental evidence concerning yield advantages, and suggest that the use of well-adapted sorghum hybrids may contribute to crop commercialization by smallholders.

Suggested Citation

  • Smale, Melinda & Assima, Amidou & Kergna, Alpha & Thériault, Veronique & Weltzien, Eva, "undated". "Farm Family Effects Of Improved Sorghum Varieties In Mali: A Multivalued Treatment Approach," Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Papers 259076, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:miffrp:259076
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.259076
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/259076/files/FSP%20Research%20Paper%2025.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.22004/ag.econ.259076?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. Matlon, Peter J., 1990. "Improving Productivity in Sorghum and Pearl Millet in Semi-Arid Africa," Food Research Institute Studies, Stanford University, Food Research Institute, vol. 22(01), pages 1-44.
    2. Diakité, Lamissa & Sidibé, Amadou & Smale, Melinda & Grum, Mikkel, 2008. "Seed value chains for Sorghum and Millet in Mali: A state-based system in transition," IFPRI discussion papers 749, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Foster, Andrew D & Rosenzweig, Mark R, 1995. "Learning by Doing and Learning from Others: Human Capital and Technical Change in Agriculture," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 103(6), pages 1176-1209, December.
    4. Theriault, Veronique & Kergna, Alpha & Traoré, Abdramane & Témé, Bino & Smale, Melinda, "undated". "Revue De La Structure Et De La Performance De La Filiere Engrais Au Mali," Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Papers 259033, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP).
    5. Haggblade, Steven & Diallo, Boubacar & Smale, Melinda & Diakité, Lamissa & Témé, Bino, "undated". "Revue Du Systeme Semencier Au Mali," Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Papers 259035, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP).
    6. Theriault, Veronique & Smale, Melinda & Haider, Hamza, 2016. "Gender Differences in the Adoption of Cereal Intensification Strategy Sets in Burkina Faso," Food Security International Development Working Papers 245896, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    7. Feder, Gershon & Just, Richard E & Zilberman, David, 1985. "Adoption of Agricultural Innovations in Developing Countries: A Survey," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 33(2), pages 255-298, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Kergna, Alpha & Smale, Melinda & Assima, Amidou & Diallo, Abdoulaye & Weltzien, Eva & Rattunde, Fred, . "The potential economic impact of Guinea-race sorghum hybrids in Mali: A comparison of research and development paradigms," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 12(01).

    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. Assima, Amidou & Smale, Melinda & Kergna, Alpha, 2016. "Impacts of improved sorghum varieties on farm families in Mali: A Multivalued Treatment Effects approach," 2016 Fifth International Conference, September 23-26, 2016, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 246962, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    2. Smale, Melinda & Assima, Amidou & Kergna, Alpha & Thériault, Véronique & Weltzien, Eva, 2018. "Farm family effects of adopting improved and hybrid sorghum seed in the Sudan Savanna of West Africa," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 162-171.
    3. Vaiknoras, Kate A. & Larochelle, Catherine & Birol, Ekin & Asare-Marfo, Dorene & Herrington, Caitlin, "undated". "The Roles of Formal and Informal Delivery Approaches in Achieving Fast and Sustained Adoption of Biofortified Crops: Learnings from the Iron Bean Delivery Approaches in Rwanda," 2017 Annual Meeting, July 30-August 1, Chicago, Illinois 258288, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    4. Okten, Cagla & Osili, Una Okonkwo, 2004. "Social Networks and Credit Access in Indonesia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(7), pages 1225-1246, July.
    5. Mekonnen, Daniel Ayalew & Gerber, Nicolas & Matz, Julia Anna, 2018. "Gendered Social Networks, Agricultural Innovations, and Farm Productivity in Ethiopia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 321-335.
    6. Gine, Xavier & Klonner, Stefan, 2005. "Credit constraints as a barrier to technology adoption by the poor : lessons from South Indian small-scale fishery," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3665, The World Bank.
    7. Sommarat Chantarat & Christopher Barrett, 2012. "Social network capital, economic mobility and poverty traps," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 10(3), pages 299-342, September.
    8. Faruque-As-Sunny & Zuhui Huang & Taonarufaro Tinaye Pemberai Karimanzira, 2018. "Investigating Key Factors Influencing Farming Decisions Based on Soil Testing and Fertilizer Recommendation Facilities (STFRF)—A Case Study on Rural Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-24, November.
    9. Abdusame Tadjiev & Nodir Djanibekov & Mawussi Kossivi Soviadan & Thomas Herzfeld, 2025. "Participation in Informal Cooperation in Water Management and Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Empirical Evidence From Uzbekistan," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 69(4), pages 820-835, October.
    10. Smale, Melinda & Diakité, Lamissa & Dembélé, Brahima & Traoré, Issa Seni & Guindo, Oumar & Konta, Bouréma, 2008. "Trading millet and sorghum genetic resources women vendors in the village fairs of San and Souentza, Mali," IFPRI discussion papers 746, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    11. Lim, Krisha & Wichmann, Bruno & Luckert, Martin, 2021. "Adaptation, spatial effects, and targeting: Evidence from Africa and Asia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    12. Alem, Yonas, 2021. "Mitigating climate change through sustainable technology adoption: Insights from cookstove interventions," Ruhr Economic Papers 907, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    13. Appleton, Simon, "undated". "User Fees, Expenditure Restructuring and Voucher Systems in Education," WIDER Working Papers 295459, United Nations University, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    14. Guizar-Mateos, Isai & Miranda, Mario J. & Gonzalez-Vega, Claudio, 2013. "The Role of Credit and Deposits in the Dynamics of Technology Decisions and Poverty Traps," 2013 Annual Meeting, August 4-6, 2013, Washington, D.C. 149860, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    15. Smale, Melinda & Kergna, Alpha O. & Assima, Amidou & Weltzien, Eva & Rattunde, Fred, 2014. "An Overview and Economic Assessment of Sorghum Improvement in Mali," Food Security International Development Working Papers 198186, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    16. Tavneet Suri, 2009. "Selection and Comparative Advantage in Technology Adoption," NBER Working Papers 15346, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    17. Terrance Hurley & Jawoo Koo & Kindie Tesfaye, 2018. "Weather risk: how does it change the yield benefits of nitrogen fertilizer and improved maize varieties in sub‐Saharan Africa?," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 49(6), pages 711-723, November.
    18. Ward, Patrick S. & Singh, Vartika, "undated". "Risk and Ambiguity Preferences and the Adoption of New Agricultural Technologies: Evidence from Field Experiments in Rural India," 2013 Annual Meeting, August 4-6, 2013, Washington, D.C. 150794, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    19. Vandercasteelen, Joachim & Dereje, Mekdim & Minten, Bart & Taffesse, Alemayehu Seyoum, 2016. "Row planting teff in Ethiopia: Impact on farm-level profitability and labor allocation," ESSP working papers 92, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    20. Khushbu Mishra & Abdoul G. Sam & Gracious M. Diiro & Mario J. Miranda, 2020. "Gender and the dynamics of technology adoption: Empirical evidence from a household‐level panel data," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 51(6), pages 857-870, November.

    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:miffrp:259076. 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/damsuus.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.