A Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition for count data models

Abstract

Little research has examined the factors influencing differential adoption of organic farming practices by women and men farmers, a sector where women account for a significant and rapidly growing proportion of farmers. Female organic farmers adopt more crop disease management practices than male organic farmers and use a different portfolio of techniques. Results from a count data model are used to decompose observed differences in the adoption of management practices into an endowment effect and a coefficients effect. The analysis indicates that 50% of the adoption differential is due to differences in characteristics of male vs. female farmers with percentage of vegetable acreage a key factor influencing the gap in adoption practices.