Determinants and effects of adopting improved potato varieties in Malawi

It is crucial to comprehend the effects of adopting improved potato varieties on farmers’ welfare in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially given the growing demand for food arising from rapid urbanization. This study examines the adoption of improved potato varieties in Malawi and its effects on farmer out...

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Autores principales: Tsuanyo, F.F., Otieno, D.J., Rajendran, S., Kapalasa, E., Mwenye, O., Demo, P., Parker, M.
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Elsevier 2024
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/152061
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author Tsuanyo, F.F.
Otieno, D.J.
Rajendran, S.
Kapalasa, E.
Mwenye, O.
Demo, P.
Parker, M.
author_browse Demo, P.
Kapalasa, E.
Mwenye, O.
Otieno, D.J.
Parker, M.
Rajendran, S.
Tsuanyo, F.F.
author_facet Tsuanyo, F.F.
Otieno, D.J.
Rajendran, S.
Kapalasa, E.
Mwenye, O.
Demo, P.
Parker, M.
author_sort Tsuanyo, F.F.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description It is crucial to comprehend the effects of adopting improved potato varieties on farmers’ welfare in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially given the growing demand for food arising from rapid urbanization. This study examines the adoption of improved potato varieties in Malawi and its effects on farmer outcomes, overall welfare and poverty. Data from a multistage sample of 277 smallholder potato growers were analyzed using the probit, endogenous switching regression and economic surplus models. Results showed that years of formal schooling, distance to closest input source, access to credit, number of adopters known by the farmer, confidence in the extension worker’s skills and group membership positively affected the adoption of improved potato varieties. In contrast, the perceived soil fertility level negatively influenced the adoption of the improved varieties. Additionally, results revealed a significant relationship between adoption and yield and a significant negative relationship between adoption and cost of production. Similarly, adopting improved varieties leads to a total surplus between US$ 108 million to US$ 178.7 million. Furthermore, adopting improved varieties could lead to a poverty reduction of 1.61% to 2.7%. The adoption of improved varieties also decreases poverty and boosts overall economic surplus. The study recommends enhanced availability of the improved potato varieties to the public through a decentralized seed production system, seed quality monitoring and traceability. Furthermore, strengthening extension workers’ skills and farmer-to-farmer extension approaches, cooperatives, provision of microcredit, and the promotion of crop rotation and use of organic fertilizers can be implemented to facilitate potato varieties adoption and increase farmers’ yield while reducing their production costs.
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spelling CGSpace1520612025-10-26T13:01:40Z Determinants and effects of adopting improved potato varieties in Malawi Tsuanyo, F.F. Otieno, D.J. Rajendran, S. Kapalasa, E. Mwenye, O. Demo, P. Parker, M. potatoes smallholders poverty crop Improvement It is crucial to comprehend the effects of adopting improved potato varieties on farmers’ welfare in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially given the growing demand for food arising from rapid urbanization. This study examines the adoption of improved potato varieties in Malawi and its effects on farmer outcomes, overall welfare and poverty. Data from a multistage sample of 277 smallholder potato growers were analyzed using the probit, endogenous switching regression and economic surplus models. Results showed that years of formal schooling, distance to closest input source, access to credit, number of adopters known by the farmer, confidence in the extension worker’s skills and group membership positively affected the adoption of improved potato varieties. In contrast, the perceived soil fertility level negatively influenced the adoption of the improved varieties. Additionally, results revealed a significant relationship between adoption and yield and a significant negative relationship between adoption and cost of production. Similarly, adopting improved varieties leads to a total surplus between US$ 108 million to US$ 178.7 million. Furthermore, adopting improved varieties could lead to a poverty reduction of 1.61% to 2.7%. The adoption of improved varieties also decreases poverty and boosts overall economic surplus. The study recommends enhanced availability of the improved potato varieties to the public through a decentralized seed production system, seed quality monitoring and traceability. Furthermore, strengthening extension workers’ skills and farmer-to-farmer extension approaches, cooperatives, provision of microcredit, and the promotion of crop rotation and use of organic fertilizers can be implemented to facilitate potato varieties adoption and increase farmers’ yield while reducing their production costs. 2024-12 2024-09-09T21:18:25Z 2024-09-09T21:18:25Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/152061 en Open Access Elsevier Tsuanyo, F.F.; Otieno, D.J.; Rajendran, S.; Kapalasa, E.; Mwenye, O.; Demo, P.; Parker, M. 2024. Determinants and effects of adopting improved potato varieties in Malawi. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research. ISSN 2666-1543. 13 p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101389
spellingShingle potatoes
smallholders
poverty
crop Improvement
Tsuanyo, F.F.
Otieno, D.J.
Rajendran, S.
Kapalasa, E.
Mwenye, O.
Demo, P.
Parker, M.
Determinants and effects of adopting improved potato varieties in Malawi
title Determinants and effects of adopting improved potato varieties in Malawi
title_full Determinants and effects of adopting improved potato varieties in Malawi
title_fullStr Determinants and effects of adopting improved potato varieties in Malawi
title_full_unstemmed Determinants and effects of adopting improved potato varieties in Malawi
title_short Determinants and effects of adopting improved potato varieties in Malawi
title_sort determinants and effects of adopting improved potato varieties in malawi
topic potatoes
smallholders
poverty
crop Improvement
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/152061
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