Technology adoption by indigenous and exotic vegetable farmers

ABSTRACT

The adoption of improved agricultural production technologies can be an appropriate approach in meeting the demand for vegetables. Indigenous and exotic vegetable farmers were selected for comparison because they are perceived to differ in scale and purpose of production, and resistance to field conditions which could lead to differences in the adoption of production technologies. Primary data from 200 indigenous and exotic vegetable farmers each used to assess differences in technologies adopted by the groups, and drivers of the number and types of technologies adopted. There were differences in the type and number of technologies adopted by indigenous and exotic vegetable farmers. Exotic vegetable farmers adopted more technologies than indigenous vegetable farmers. Primary determinants of number and type of technologies adopted are nativity, type of vegetable produced, farm size, production for local market or export, and Farmer Based Organization (FBO) membership. There were differences in the influence of these factors on technology adoption between indigenous and exotic vegetable farmers. Joining and retaining membership in FBOs, and visiting demonstration fields could improve technology adoption. Indigenous vegetable crop producers were influenced by more factors affecting adoption than exotic vegetable producers. The former faced more challenges likely based on the economy of scale and access to export markets. The latter were hindered by access to credit. Both would benefit from access to information in making decisions about technology adoption.

KEYWORDS:

• Ghana
• multivariate regression
• negative binomial regression
• vegetable production