Sustainable Technology Adoption as a Source of Competitive Advantage for Pineapple Production in Ejigbo, Nigeria

Abstract

Adopting new technology as a strategic resource can result in a competitive edge in any market. However, a competitive advantage cannot be acquired in the production of horticultural goods without first embracing the practices that are inextricably linked to those goods. This paper investigates the adoption of farm practices in conjunction with technology transferred to farmers. Some research debates on competitive advantages have identified both resources and processes of production as sources of competitive advantage. The emphasis on the resource-based view and dynamic capability view stipulates that firms acquire competitiveness via internal resources and capabilities. However, there has not been much empirical exploration of horticultural production sustainability in this regard despite its sufficiently outstanding contribution to the gross domestic product in developing and developed economies. It specifically discusses how Technology Adoption Practices (TAP) could lead to a competitive advantage in horticulture with particular reference to the production of pineapple fruit in Ejigbo, Nigeria. From the angle of professional practice; the study provides an insight into how farmers strive to suggest solutions to practical challenges faced within the production process. Therefore, it is essential to have practices in place for the adoption of sustainable technology. The outcomes of the study generate two different storylines and demonstrate that attributing factors as well as reinforcing capabilities both boost competitiveness at the farm level and enhance the farmers’ desire for farming pineapples. Pineapple farmers in Ejigbo employ a differentiation approach to gain a competitive advantage in their agro-farming industry. This could lead to an increase in the volume of fresh pineapple products that are exported.

Assessment of Fumman Agricultural Products Industries’ Contract Farming Scheme Among Pineapple Fruit Farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria

“…1 March 2024Page: 281 -296| 283 2020. Contract farming in Africa is mainly promoted by private sector like private companies/individuals with little support from public institution, that is Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) (Oladapo et al, 2023;Akanbi et al, 2019;Adebisi et al, 2020). According to and Barrowclough et al (2019), many contract farming schemes in less developed countries are multipartite arrangements involving private firms (usually foreign, but occasionally local with examples such as OLAM, BATIAL and Nestle SLAMARK in Nigeria), the host-country government, and international aid or lending agencies, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank, or the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC).…”

“…Although several studies have been conducted worldwide on contract farming, its' impact on farmers' welfare and its' sustainability. Authorities like Nazifi et al (2021); Adebisi et al (2019); Akanbi, et al (2019); Ibrahim & Garba, (2019); Oladapo et al, (2023); Enwelu & Iyere-Freedom, (2023) and studied farmers' income from contract farming, the impact of contract farming on national and household food security, factors influencing farmers' decision on contract farming and extent of participation in contract farming as well as perception about contract farming. However, Nigeria's situation is unique and calls for proper investigation especially because the sustainability of an idea or a development program is hinged on the favorable perception of the participants as well as benefits derived by the beneficiaries from such strategy or program.…”