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Motivations and Mental Models Associated with Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technology: Evidence from Use of Quality Seed Potato in Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Julius Okello

    (SSA Regional Office)

  • Yuan Zhou

    (Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture)

  • Ian Barker

    (Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture)

  • Elmar Schulte-Geldermann

    (SSA Regional Office)

Abstract

Potato is a major food staple that makes a significant contribution to food security, having potential to smooth the volatility in food prices resulting from recent episodes of global food price increases. Despite its importance, most potato growers continue to use poor-quality seed, normally obtained from local/community sources. This study uses means-end chain theory to examine the drivers of use of quality seed potato, and the mental models associated with quality seed potato use. It finds that the decision to purchase and use quality seed is driven by deep-seated life goals that farmers pursue, and that profit-making is merely a means to these end/life goals. It further finds that the structure of mental models differs by the gender of the adopter and between adopters and nonadopters. The study concludes that the structure and content of farmers’ mental models differ by farmer type. The implications of the study findings for policy are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Julius Okello & Yuan Zhou & Ian Barker & Elmar Schulte-Geldermann, 2019. "Motivations and Mental Models Associated with Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Agricultural Technology: Evidence from Use of Quality Seed Potato in Kenya," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(2), pages 271-292, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:31:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1057_s41287-018-0152-5
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-018-0152-5
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    2. Thomas Pircher & Conny J. M. Almekinders, 2021. "Making sense of farmers’ demand for seed of root, tuber and banana crops: a systematic review of methods," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(5), pages 1285-1301, October.
    3. Diane Kapgen & Laurence Roudart, 2022. "A Multidisciplinary Approach to Assess Smallholder Farmers' Adoption of New Technologies in Development Interventions," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/345825, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
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    5. Zeng, Yangmei & He, Ke & Zhang, Junbiao & Li, Ping, 2023. "Adoption and ex-post impacts of sustainable manure management practices on income and happiness: Evidence from swine breeding farmers in rural Hubei, China," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    6. Diane Kapgen & Laurence Roudart, 2023. "A Multidisciplinary Approach to Assess Smallholder Farmers' Adoption of New Technologies in Development Interventions," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 35(4), pages 974-995, August.
    7. Tan, Fuli & Wang, Jingjing & De Steur, Hans & Fan, Shenggen, 2024. "Unveiling the predictive factors influencing consumers purchase intention towards biofortified products: A PLS-SEM model with agent-based simulation," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 344020, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
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