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Getting Technology And The Technology Environment Right: Lessons From Maize Development In Southern Africa

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  • Howard, Julie A.
  • Rubey, Lawrence
  • Crawford, Eric W.

Abstract

This paper examines two questions: (1) what were the most important factors that led to differential rates of adoption of maize technology by farmers in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi from 1910 to 1995? and (2) what do these experiences suggest about strategic investments in institutions and organizations needed to create a sustainable environment for technology development and adoption in the future? The analysis suggests that productivity increases are facilitated by (a) technology innovations throughout the agricultural system, (b) integration of technological innovations with changes in policies, organizations, human capital and infrastructure related to extension, input and output markets and processing services, and (c) coordination of these innovations across different stages of the agricultural system.

Suggested Citation

  • Howard, Julie A. & Rubey, Lawrence & Crawford, Eric W., 2000. "Getting Technology And The Technology Environment Right: Lessons From Maize Development In Southern Africa," Staff Paper Series 11558, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:midasp:11558
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.11558
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rusike, Joseph & Reardon, Thomas & Howard, Julie A. & Kelly, Valerie A., 1998. "Developing Cereal-Based Demand for Fertilizer among Smallholders in Southern Africa: Lessons Learned and Implications for Other African Regions," Food Security International Development Policy Syntheses 11344, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    2. Eicher, Carl K., 1995. "Zimbabwe's maize-based Green Revolution: Preconditions for replication," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 23(5), pages 805-818, May.
    3. Boughton, Duncan & Crawford, Eric W. & Howard, Julie A. & Oehmke, James F. & Shaffer, James D. & Staatz, John M., 1995. "A Strategic Approach to Agricultural Research Program Planning in Sub-Saharan Africa," Food Security International Development Working Papers 54702, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    4. Rusike, Joseph & Howard, Julie A. & Maredia, Mywish K., 1998. "Seed Sector Evolution in Zambia and Zimbabwe: Has Farmer Access Improved Following Economic Reforms?," Food Security International Development Policy Syntheses 11284, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    5. Jonathan Kydd, 1989. "Maize research in Malawi: Lessons from failure," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 1(1), pages 112-144, January.
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