Measuring the Impact of Agricultural Research: The Case of New Wheat Varieties in Turkey

Abstract

SUMMARYThis paper summarizes a study initiated by the Turkish General Directorate of Agricultural Research and ICARDA/CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Program on the adoption of five new winter and spring wheat varieties developed and released by the Turkish national breeding program and through international collaboration in the past 10 years. The study results are based on a survey of 781 households selected randomly in the Adana, Ankara, Diyarbakir, Edirne, and Konya provinces of Turkey. The five new wheat varieties are compared to old improved varieties released prior to 1995 that are also still grown by farmers. Technical and biological indicators of impacts including crop productivity are measured to determine the impact of these varieties. Yield stability is assessed by comparing average yields in normal, good and dry years and by comparing the coefficients of variation of yields by variety. Profitability is measured by the gross margin generated per unit of land. Household income from wheat and for all economic activities are estimated and compared between adopters and non-adopters. Adopters of the new varieties have higher per-capita income than non-adopters as compared to the same group using old varieties. However, the overall impact of the improved varieties is generally low, mainly due to their low adoption levels. Farmers’ knowledge and perception of certain variety characteristics and unavailability of adequate and timely seed are the main reasons. Increasing adoption has the potential to improve household income and this requires revising wheat impact pathway to achieve the expected impact.

Genomic Composition Permits Precise Analysis of a Novel High-Yielding Wheat Cultivar Bainong 207 and its Sister Lines

“…This increase was not achieved through expansion of wheat acreage but through increase crop yields per unit area and this has been a result of technological innovation and scientific crop management such as the improvement and deployment of novel varieties with better genetics, better seed storage, and germination ability, increased utilization of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and improved irrigation. Of these factors, development of novel wheat variety with objectives of high yields, wide adaptability, good quality, multiple-resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, and efficient use of fertilizers has a major contribution [14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

International Winter Wheat Improvement Program: history, activities, impact and future

“…There are several approaches to measure impact. A formal impact study was undertaken in Turkey by Mazid et al [21] to evaluate the adoption of five new winter and spring wheat cultivars developed and released by the Turkish national breeding program and through international collaboration. The study results were based on a survey of 781 households selected randomly in the Adana, Ankara, Diyarbakir, Edirne and Konya Provinces of Turkey.…”

Yield effects of rust-resistant wheat varieties in Ethiopia

“…While such linkages are well understood in theory, they have rarely been examined in empirical research with data from farmers' fields. Many studies on the adoption of improved crop varieties have evaluated yield effects in general, yet without differentiating between different crop traits and varietal characteristics (Di Falco et al 2007;Matuschke et al 2007;Mazid et al 2015;Teklewold et al 2013;Walker and Alwang 2015). We contribute to this literature by unpacking yield differentials of three varietal traits: disease resistance, yield potential, and adaptation to local abiotic stresses.…”