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Do neighbours matter in technology adoption? The case of conservation tillage in northwest Ethiopia

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  • Tessema, Yohannis Mulu
  • Asafu-Adjaye, John
  • Kassie, Menale
  • Mallawaarachchi, Thilak

Abstract

Conservation tillage (CT) is one of the practices promoted to enhance sustainable agricultural production and the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers. It is a new farming practice for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. Lack of information on the existence and use of the technology, as well as its profitability, could deter its adoption. This paper examines the role of social learning in the adoption of CT in rural northwest Ethiopia. We used a spatial econometric model on crosssectional plot-level survey data to achieve this objective. The results show that neighbour effect is a significant determinant of CT adoption in the study area. This suggests that the adoption of CT is occurring through neighbourhood effects, and that considering progressive farmers when designing technology-promotion programmes can speed up the adoption process.

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  • Tessema, Yohannis Mulu & Asafu-Adjaye, John & Kassie, Menale & Mallawaarachchi, Thilak, 2016. "Do neighbours matter in technology adoption? The case of conservation tillage in northwest Ethiopia," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 11(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:afjare:245940
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.245940
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    Cited by:

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    4. Omotuyole Isiaka Ambali & Francisco Jose Areal & Nikolaos Georgantzis, 2021. "Improved Rice Technology Adoption: The Role of Spatially-Dependent Risk Preference," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-13, July.
    5. Martey, Edward & Etwire, Prince M. & Mockshell, Jonathan & Armah, Ralph & Akorsikumah, Eli, 2023. "Ecological shocks and children’s school attendance and farm work in Ghana," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 31(C).
    6. Mugula, Joseph J & Ahmad, Athman Kyaruzi & Msinde, John & Kadigi, Michael, 2023. "Determinants of Adoption of Bundled Sustainable Agriculture Practices among Small-Scale Maize Farmers in Mvomero and Kilosa Districts, Tanzania," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 11(4), September.
    7. Adams, Abdulai & Jumpah, Emmanuel Tetteh & Caesar, Livingstone Divine, 2021. "The nexuses between technology adoption and socioeconomic changes among farmers in Ghana," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    8. Ambali, Omotuyole I. & Areal, Francisco J. & Georgantzis, Nikolaos & Oyetunde-Usman, Zainab, 2021. "Examining the Role of Spatially-Dependent Time Preference in Improved Rice Technology Adoption Decisions," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315286, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    9. Abebayehu Girma Geffersa, 2024. "Does cooperative membership enhance inorganic fertilizer use intensity? Panel data evidence from maize farmers in Ethiopia," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(2), pages 327-361, June.
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    11. Wang, Zhenhua & Liu, Qiaochu & Yang, Jian & Jiang, Jinqi, 2021. "Can Technology Demonstration Promote Rural Households’ Adoption of Conservation Tillage in the Main Grain-Producing Areas of China?," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315171, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    12. Sibhatu, Kibrom T. & Steinhübel, Linda & Siregar, Hermanto & Qaim, Matin & Wollni, Meike, 2021. "Spatial Heterogeneity of Oil Palm Production in Indonesia: Implications for Intervention Strategies," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315222, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    13. Sankhulani, Linda, 2021. "Impact evaluation of conservation agriculture on smallholder farmers’ livelihood in Zambia and Tanzania," Research Theses 334762, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
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