Adoption of improved production methods by underutilized indigenous vegetable farmers

ABSTRACT

Adoption of improved technology is necessary in developing countries to ensure adequate vegetable production and increased farm income. The study examined factors influencing adoption of improved production methods by growers of underutilized indigenous vegetables. Data obtained from the Synergizing Fertilizer Micro-dosing and Indigenous Vegetable Production project to Enhance Food and Economic Security in West Africa data bank (MICROVEG), collected from 552 respondents, were used. The Poisson Regression Model was employed to estimate the probability of adoption of improved technology practices. Awareness and knowledge of innovation, membership in farmer organizations, education level, income, and land ownership were factors positively influencing farmer decisions to adopt the improved methods. For adoption to occur, appropriate dissemination of information needs to be employed.

KEYWORDS:

• Fertilizer microdosing
• Poisson regression
• water management
• farmer organization

Acknowledgments

The support of the International Development Research Centre/Global Affairs Canada, Canadian International Food Security Research Fund through the Synergizing Fertilizer Micro-Dosing and Indigenous Vegetables Production to Enhance Food and Economic Security of West Africa (MICROVEG) project, project number 107983, from which the database was obtained is greatly acknowledged.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the International Development Research Centre [project number 107983].