Role of farmers' attitudes in adoption of irrigation in Saskatchewan

Adoption of a new technology, such as irrigation, is a complex phenomenon. Several factors of economic and social nature contribute to the farm-level decisions affecting adoption. In this study, the role played by attitudes of potential adopters towards irrigation and its subsequent adoption on their farm unit was estimated. Two models were estimated, one incorporating only adopters' socio-economic characteristics, and the other, only their attitudes towards irrigation. Results suggest that adopters' attitude, particularly with respect to economic and environmental effects of irrigation, were significant determinants of their decision to proceed with adoption of irrigation, and have a role to play in adoption of irrigation over and above that explained by socio-economic characteristics. In particular, these results suggest that negative perceptions with respect to economics of irrigation and those related to its detrimental impacts on environmental quality, particularly through soil salinity, may be significant deterrents for adoption of irrigation. The study suggests that planning of large scale water development projects, particularly those involving irrigation, must be cognizant of attitudes of potential adopters. Furthermore, during the planning stages, more attention should be paid to the development of proper educational programs, as well as extension packages, to ensure that potential adopters formulate correct attitudes towards the new technology.     

THREE‐STAGE ANALYSIS OF THE ADOPTION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION IN THE HIGHLANDS OF RWANDA

This paper investigates the adoption of bench terraces by applying a three‐stage analysis using data from 301 households in the highlands of Rwanda. Ongoing adoption of bench terraces is ‘unpacked’ to consider both adopters willing to retain and increase the intensity of using terraces already constructed and new adopters willing to develop new bench terraces. Results suggest that farmers' inability to maintain existing terraces may explain the reluctance to adopt new terraces. The same inability explains why some of the terraces constructed earlier are not well maintained and fully used by farmers in northern and southern Rwanda. Policy actions aimed at improving farmer's capacity to invest in complementary inputs will sustain future generations of soil and water conservation measures in Rwanda. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Do cooperatives participation and technology adoption improve farmers’ welfare in China? A joint analysis accounting for selection bias

This study examines the impact of farmers' cooperatives participation and technology adoption on their economic welfare in China. A double selectivity model(DSM) is applied to correct for sample selection bias stemming from both observed and unobserved factors, and a propensity score matching(PSM) method is applied to calculate the agricultural income difference with counter factual analysis using survey data from 396 farmers in 15 provinces in China. The findings indicate that farmers who join farmer cooperatives and adopt agricultural technology can increase agricultural income by 2.77 and 2.35%, respectively, compared with those non-participants and non-adopters. Interestingly, the effect on agricultural income is found to be more significant for the low-income farmers than the high-income ones, with income increasing 5.45 and 4.51% when participating in farmer cooperatives and adopting agricultural technology, respectively. Our findings highlight the positive role of farmer cooperatives and agricultural technology in promoting farmers' economic welfare. Based on the findings, government policy implications are also discussed.     

A Review of “The Heirloom Tomato: From Garden to Table Recipes,Portraits, and History of the World's Most Beautiful Fruit”

This study examined wetland farming systems in Edo State, Nigeria, with specific focus on practitioners’ response to Fadama technologies, as well as factors that might promote adoption behavior. Primary data were sourced from 301 wetland farmers across the three political districts in the state. Responses were analyzed using frequency distribution and multiple regression. Fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and improved varieties were the most adopted technologies; cost was the most serious constraint to adoption. The average earnings derived from wetland farming enterprises were 291,400.28 (US$1,942.60) per annum. Important determinants of wetland farming technology adoption by farmers include education, contact with extension agents, revenue, and credit. The study recommends an improvement in Fadama farmers’ access to credit and extension services.     

A Review of “World Food: Production and Use”

The credibility, reliability, and adequacy of information sources are cardinal to adoption of technologies that increase agricultural productivity. Date palm production in Nigeria is low and, considering its high demand, makes the country a net importer of date to meet local demands.

This study assessed the sources of information on date palm in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 115 date palm farmers. The results show that friends and relatives, extension agents, and radio are the preferred sources of information. The frequency and adequacy of use follow a similar pattern of preference.     

Review of Integrated Nutrient Management for Sustainable Crop Production

This study analyses the influences of sociodemographic factors, business orientation of farmers, and farm characteristics on adoption of ICT-based information through primary data collected from 461 farmers in eight districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. A personal interview survey was conducted using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The Poisson Count Regression Model was used to analyze the factors influencing use of the information derived through ICT-based systems on various agricultural practices. The findings indicate that education, income, and social category of farmers are important sociodemographic factors affecting the adoption of ICT-based information systems. Similarly, farmers who consider farming as a business venture, practice a diversified cropping system, and have small farms are more likely to use ICT-based information.     

农户技术采纳行为偏好及影响因素研究--以水稻种植户为例

农户是农业技术的使用者,是农业新技术推广的重要力量。引导农户理性进行技术决策,积极采纳新技术,对推进新技术在现代农业发展中的主导作用具有十分重要的意义。通过对湖南省湘北、湘东2个水稻主产区县的138个水稻种植农户的技术采纳行为的实地调查,了解农户在水稻种植中主要采纳的技术类型,对农户的技术选择偏好进行了排序,并采用计量分析方法分析了主导农户技术采纳行为的主要外因和内因,最后提出了相应的建议。     

农户采用不同稻作方式的影响因素分析 ——基于江苏省淮安市淮安区的农户调研数据

【目的】探讨农户对不同稻作方式的采用行为及影响因素,为稻作方式的发展及推广工作提供科学依据。【方法】基于实地调研数据,运用Multinomial Logistic模型对农户采用直播稻、机插稻和手栽稻的行为结果及影响因素进行实证分析。【结果】稻作方式的省工特性对农户采用直播稻和机插稻均有显著影响;稻作方式信息可获得性对农户采用机插稻有显著影响;稻作方式的生产性投入与农户采用直播稻呈负相关;水稻种植面积与农户采用直播稻呈负相关,与农户采用机插稻呈正相关;农户兼业性与其采用直播稻和机插稻呈正相关。【结论】稻作方式的劳动投入量是影响农户采用行为的关键因素;农户的兼业性促进了其对轻简稻作方式的采用;生产性投入低是农户采用直播稻的重要原因。推进水稻规模经营、为农户提供方便有效的技术信息可促进机插稻的发展。     

Logistic Regression Analysis on Factors Affecting Adoption of Rice-Fish Farming in North Iran

We evaluated the factors influencing the adoption of rice-fish farming in the Tavalesh region near the Caspian Sea in northern Iran.We conducted a survey with open-ended questions.Data were collected from 184 respondents(61 adopters and 123 non-adopters) randomly sampled from selected villages and analyzed using logistic regression and multi-response analysis.Family size,number of contacts with an extension agent,participation in extension-education activities,membership in social institutions and the presence of farm workers were the most important socio-economic factors for the adoption of rice-fish farming system.In addition,economic problems were the most common issue reported by adopters.Other issues such as lack of access to appropriate fish food,losses of fish,lack of access to high quality fish fingerlings and dehydration and poor water quality were also important to a number of farmers.     

Adoption of management and technological practices by fishpond operators in Nepal

Abstract

This study examines adoption of major management and technological practices by fishpond operators in Nepal. A socio‐economic survey was conducted in 1994 covering 358 fishpond operators in eight of the 21 aquaculture production districts of Nepal. Factor and multiple regression models were employed in data analysis. The results indicate that 30 adoption practices can be summarized by six indices. The study suggests that the education level of fishpond operators plays an important role in increased adoption of management and technological practices. Ethnicity, geographical location, smaller fish farm size, access to inputs and cash reserves and proximity to market infrastructure also increase the probability of adoption of desirable management and technological practices.