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"Understanding the adoption of a portfolio of sustainable intensification practices in eastern and southern Africa"

Summary

Kassie, M., Teklewold, H., Jaleta, M., Marenya, P., & Erenstein, O. (2015). Understanding the adoption of a portfolio of sustainable intensification practices in eastern and southern Africa. Land Use Policy, 42, 400–411. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2014.08.016

Abstract of the paper:
This paper explores smallholder farmers’ adoption decisions of multiple sustainable intensification practices (SIPs) in eastern and southern Africa. We develop a multivariate probit model using plot-level data gathered from maize–legume farming systems in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. We find that some practices used in maize production are complementary while others are substitutable. The adoption of SIPs is influenced by social capital and networks, quality of extension services, reliance on government support during crop failure, incidence of pests and diseases, resource constraints, tenure security, education, and market access. The results provide insight into the further efforts needed to encourage greater adoption of SIPs.

Authors: Menale Kassiea, Hailemariam Teklewold, Moti Jaleta, Paswel Marenya, and Olaf Erenstein
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Part of Solutions

  • FRN-NGO in Kenya: Collaborating NGOs for multi-environment trials
  • Systems research - resources

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    Rebecca NelsonRjn aurora 06

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    • Rjn aurora 06
      Rebecca Nelson

      Comment from John Lynam: "There is a small but growing literature on understanding smallholder adoption of "system" technologies. This is usually done in terms of the number of technology components and the complementarity or substitutability of the components. Skip the econometrics and go to the discussion. There is an underlying question of how to test such technologies in farmers' fields."