Using linear and logit functions to identify adopters and non‐adopters of farm technology: Some policy considerations for KwaZulu

Abstract

Kleynhans (1983) showed that the variables population density and number of migrant workers contributed significantly to linear discriminant scores computed for Black farmers in the Amaci district of KwaZulu.

The purpose of this paper is to formulate policy recommendations for the Amaci district and to check the relevancy of these recommendations in other parts of KwaZulu.

The policy recommendations were based on Kleynhans’ discriminating variables and proposed that permanent Black urbanization was essential for rural development. The significance of these variables was checked using linear probability and logit functions. The linear and logit functions were subsequently used to classify adopters and non‐adopters of farm technology in two other districts of KwaZulu. The results suggest that policies formulated for the Amaci district may also be appropriate for other districts.

Notes

Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Natal. Pietermaritzburg.