Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron-biofortified beans in Rwanda

This study analyzes smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt beans with higher levels of dietary iron developed through a conventional breeding technique called biofortification. We approach this study by applying spatial econometric techniques to estimate neighborhood influence and to determine the...

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Autores principales: Funes, Jose, Sun, Laixiang, Sedano, Fernando, Baiocchi, Giovanni, Benson, Todd
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Wiley 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175618
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author Funes, Jose
Sun, Laixiang
Sedano, Fernando
Baiocchi, Giovanni
Benson, Todd
author_browse Baiocchi, Giovanni
Benson, Todd
Funes, Jose
Sedano, Fernando
Sun, Laixiang
author_facet Funes, Jose
Sun, Laixiang
Sedano, Fernando
Baiocchi, Giovanni
Benson, Todd
author_sort Funes, Jose
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This study analyzes smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt beans with higher levels of dietary iron developed through a conventional breeding technique called biofortification. We approach this study by applying spatial econometric techniques to estimate neighborhood influence and to determine the factors driving the adoption of iron-biofortified beans (IBB). We employ a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of bean producing households from 2015 bean growing season B in Rwanda, and present results for growers of both bush and climbing varieties of beans. The results show geographic diffusion of iron bean planting material occurs among neighboring farmers that exhibit interdependent decision-making patterns, as well as similar characteristics relative to the group. Some policy implications can be drawn from the results. First, a differentiated geographical targeting strategy for bush and climbing bean varieties as a function of farmer and farm characteristics should increase iron bean adoption rates. Second, strengthening partnerships with delivery agents and extensionists should stimulate the adoption of IBB varieties. And finally, technology-promotion programs that consider progressive farmers and strengthen social interactions and group activities among peer networks should increase the spread of information and diffusion of IBB.
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spelling CGSpace1756182025-12-08T10:11:39Z Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron-biofortified beans in Rwanda Funes, Jose Sun, Laixiang Sedano, Fernando Baiocchi, Giovanni Benson, Todd smallholders beans iron biofortification This study analyzes smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt beans with higher levels of dietary iron developed through a conventional breeding technique called biofortification. We approach this study by applying spatial econometric techniques to estimate neighborhood influence and to determine the factors driving the adoption of iron-biofortified beans (IBB). We employ a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of bean producing households from 2015 bean growing season B in Rwanda, and present results for growers of both bush and climbing varieties of beans. The results show geographic diffusion of iron bean planting material occurs among neighboring farmers that exhibit interdependent decision-making patterns, as well as similar characteristics relative to the group. Some policy implications can be drawn from the results. First, a differentiated geographical targeting strategy for bush and climbing bean varieties as a function of farmer and farm characteristics should increase iron bean adoption rates. Second, strengthening partnerships with delivery agents and extensionists should stimulate the adoption of IBB varieties. And finally, technology-promotion programs that consider progressive farmers and strengthen social interactions and group activities among peer networks should increase the spread of information and diffusion of IBB. 2022-07 2025-07-11T17:55:35Z 2025-07-11T17:55:35Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175618 en Open Access Wiley Funes, Jose; Sun, Laixiang; Sedano, Fernando; Baiocchi, Giovanni; and Benson, Todd. 2022. Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron-biofortified beans in Rwanda. Agricultural Economics 53(4): 503-528. https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12722
spellingShingle smallholders
beans
iron
biofortification
Funes, Jose
Sun, Laixiang
Sedano, Fernando
Baiocchi, Giovanni
Benson, Todd
Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron-biofortified beans in Rwanda
title Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron-biofortified beans in Rwanda
title_full Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron-biofortified beans in Rwanda
title_fullStr Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron-biofortified beans in Rwanda
title_full_unstemmed Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron-biofortified beans in Rwanda
title_short Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron-biofortified beans in Rwanda
title_sort social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron biofortified beans in rwanda
topic smallholders
beans
iron
biofortification
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175618
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