Who is quitting? An analysis of the dis-adoption of climate smart sorghum varieties in Tanzania

Abstract

Purpose -New agricultural technologies are continuously generated and promoted for adoption by farmers with the expectation that they bring about higher benefits than older technologies. Yet, depending on the perceived benefits, the user of the technology may choose to stop using it. This paper aims to analyze what drives farmers to dis-adopt climate smart sorghum varieties in Tanzania.Design/methodology/approach -The study uses cross-sectional farm household level data collected in Tanzania from a sample of 767 households. The determinants of dis-adoption are explored using a bivariate probit with sample selection model.Findings -The authors find that while farmers switch between different sorghum varieties, most farmers actually quit sorghum production. Older farmers and those facing biotic stresses such attacks by birds are more likely to dis-adopt sorghum.Practical implications -These findings suggest that there is scope for improving and sustaining the adoption of sorghum varieties in Tanzania once extension services are strengthened. The findings also point to a well-founded theory on the role of markets in enhancing the overall sustainability of food systems.Social implications -The study findings have broader implications for understanding the sustainability of improved technology adoption Originality/value -Dis-adoption is also positively associated with the lack of access to markets underscoring the role of markets in enhancing the overall sustainability of technology adoption and food systems.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Agricultural Practices in Ghana’s Forest-Fringe Communities

“…Older farmers are found to be less trusting of new technologies and/ or management practices. They are often resistant to change and prefer to continue with what is well tried and tested [61][62][63]. The majority of the older farmers (Above 50 years old: 71.6% of adopters and 83.7% of non-adopters) own their farmlands.…”

A probit Analysis of Determinants of Adoption of Improved Sorghum Technologies Among Farmers in Tanzania

“…Hypothesized variables of adoption of this study are based on theoretical and empirical frameworks of previous studies (Federal et al, 1985;Ghadim & Pannell 1999;Mpangwa, 2011;Kalinda et al, 2014;Ghimire et al, 2015;Awotide et al, 2016;Kehinde & Adeyemo, 2017;Simtowe & Mausch, 2018;Kaliba et al, 2018). In the study, the relationship among variables can be conceptualized into two main hypotheses: (i) HA1: Factors such as age, sex, number of years at school, group membership, production purpose, farm size, free seed availability, grain market accessibility and seed accessibility strongly influence farmers' adoption decision; (ii) HA2: Adoption of improved sorghum varieties incurs higher profitability levels among farmers.…”

“…The model can be conceptualized as a way of presenting factors influencing farmers' adoption decision of improved technologies. Many studies (e.g., Ghimire et al, 2015;Tsinigo & Berman, 2017;Simtowe & Mausch, 2018) have assessed adoption under utility maximization theory, and also used probit model in explaining the significance of different factors influencing farmers adoption decision. The second hypothesis was tested using gross margin analysis.…”

“…Adoption of improved sorghum varieties has been reported to be low among farmers due to different reasons. Many studies have reported age, income, cooperative membership, education, resources, extension services, subsidies and output markets to influence adoption among farmers (Mpangwa, 2011;Simtowe & Mausch, 2018;Kaliba et al, 2018). However, there has been limited empirical information on factors influencing adoption of other improved technologies apart from improved sorghum varieties in the country.…”

“…However, there has been limited empirical information on factors influencing adoption of other improved technologies apart from improved sorghum varieties in the country. Studies by Kaliba et al (2018), Simtowe and Mausch (2018) have only assessed factors affecting varieties adoption in sorghum production in Tanzania, and this calls for more studies to further understand factors determining adoption of improved technologies. The main objective of this study is to assess determinants of adoption of improved sorghum technologies by farmers in Tanzania.…”