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Technology adoption and the multiple dimensions of food security: the case of maize in Tanzania

Author

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  • Emiliano Magrini

    (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations)

  • Mauro Vigani

    (University of Gloucestershire, Oxstalls Campus)

Abstract

The paper analyses the impact of agricultural technologies on the four pillars of food security for maize farmers in Tanzania. Relying on both matching techniques and endogenous switching regression models, we used a nationally representative dataset collected over the period 2010/2011 to estimate the causal effects of using improved seeds and inorganic fertilizers on food availability, access, utilization, and stability. Our results show that the adoption of both technologies have positive and significant impacts on food availability while for access, utilization and stability we observe heterogeneity between improved seeds and inorganic fertilizers as well as across the food security pillars. The study supports the idea that the relationship between agricultural technologies and food security is a complex phenomenon, which cannot be limited to the use of welfare indexes as proxy for food security.

Suggested Citation

  • Emiliano Magrini & Mauro Vigani, 2016. "Technology adoption and the multiple dimensions of food security: the case of maize in Tanzania," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(4), pages 707-726, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:8:y:2016:i:4:d:10.1007_s12571-016-0593-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-016-0593-7
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Food security; Technology adoption; Propensity score matching; Endogenous switching regression; Tanzania;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products

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