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Push–pull farming system in Kenya: Implications for economic and social welfare

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  • Kassie, Menale
  • Stage, Jesper
  • Diiro, Gracious
  • Muriithi, Beatrice
  • Muricho, Geoffrey
  • Ledermann, Samuel T.
  • Pittchar, Jimmy
  • Midega, Charles
  • Khan, Zeyaur

Abstract

This study examines the farm-level economic benefits and aggregate welfare impacts of adopting push–pull technology (PPT)—an innovative, integrated pest and soil-fertility management strategy—with a set of household- and plot-level data collected in western Kenya. The evaluation is based on a combination of econometric and economic surplus analysis. Treatment effect estimates are used to assess the technology-induced shift in the maize supply curve, which is then used as an input to the economic surplus analysis. Finally, the aggregate poverty impact is computed using the economic surplus estimates. We observe that the adoption of PPT led to significant increases in maize yield and net maize income. The technology has significant potential benefit in terms of increasing economic surplus and reducing the number of people considered poor in western Kenya. Important factors influencing the decision to adopt PPT included access to information, household education, social capital, and social networks. We conclude that effective policies and development programmes for promoting PPT in Kenya should include information delivery and education mechanisms that are more effective.

Suggested Citation

  • Kassie, Menale & Stage, Jesper & Diiro, Gracious & Muriithi, Beatrice & Muricho, Geoffrey & Ledermann, Samuel T. & Pittchar, Jimmy & Midega, Charles & Khan, Zeyaur, 2018. "Push–pull farming system in Kenya: Implications for economic and social welfare," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 186-198.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:77:y:2018:i:c:p:186-198
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.05.041
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    5. Austin Tenthani Phiri & Miriam Charimbu & Sarah Edore Edewor & Elias Gaveta, 2022. "Sustainable Scaling of Climate-Smart Agricultural Technologies and Practices in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Kenya, Malawi, and Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-19, November.
    6. Abro, Zewdu & Kassie, Menale & Alebel, Haymanot & Taye, Bedaso & Ayalew, Zemen & Ayalew, Workineh, 2021. "The impact of beekeeping on household per capita income: evidence from Northwest Ethiopia," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315180, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
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    8. Charity M. Wangithi & Beatrice W. Muriithi & Raphael Belmin, 2021. "Adoption and Dis-Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture: A Case of Farmers’ Innovations and Integrated Fruit Fly Management in Kenya," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
    9. Fetene, Gebeyehu Manie & Balew, Solomon & Abro, Zewdu & Kassie, Menale & Tefera, Tadele, 2021. "Push-Pull Technology As a Climate-Smart Integrated Pest Management Strategy in Southern Ethiopia," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315246, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    10. Bedru B. Balana & Crystal N. Aghadi & Adebayo I. Ogunniyi, 2022. "Improving livelihoods through postharvest loss management: evidence from Nigeria," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(1), pages 249-265, February.
    11. Diiro, Gracious M. & Fisher, Monica & Kassie, Menale & Muriithi, Beatrice W. & Muricho, Geoffrey, 2021. "How does adoption of labor saving agricultural technologies affect intrahousehold resource allocations? The case of push-pull technology in Western Kenya," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).

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