Effects of social network factors on information acquisition and adoption of improved groundnut varieties: the case of Uganda and Kenya

Thuo, Mary; Bell, Alexandra; Bravo‐Ureta, Boris E.; Lachaud, Michée A.; Okello, David Kalule; Okoko, Evelyn Nasambu; Kidula, N.; Deom, C. M.; Puppala, Naveen

doi:10.1007/s10460-014-9486-6

Cited by 81 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Female farmers also produce a larger number of crop species than male farmers on average but engage in fewer different agricultural livelihood strategies. These findings are supported by Thuo et al [38] who found that male farmers in Uganda are more likely to acquire information and subsequently plant improved groundnut crop varieties. Thuo et al [38] indicate that male-headed households with small land holdings are also more likely to acquire information from external sources [38].…”

Section: Gender and Agricultural Knowledge Networksupporting

confidence: 61%

Development Interventions and Agriculture Adaptation: A Social Network Analysis of Farmer Knowledge Transfer in Ghana

et al. 2016

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Abstract:Social ties play an important role in agricultural knowledge exchange, particularly in developing countries with high exposure to agriculture development interventions. Institutions often facilitate agricultural training projects, with a focus on agroecological practices, such as agroforestry and agrobiodiversity. The structural characteristics of social networks amongst land managers influences decision-making to adopt such adaptive agroecoloigcal practice; however, the extent of knowledge transfer beyond direct project participants is often unknown. Using a social network approach, we chart the structure of agrarian knowledge networks (n = 131) in six communities, which have been differentially exposed to agriculture development interventions in Ghana. Farmer network size, density and composition were distinctly variable; development project-affiliated farmers were embedded in larger networks, had non-affiliated farmers within their networks, were engaged in more diverse agricultural production and reported adopting and adapting agroecological practice more frequently. Such bridging ties that link across distinctive groups in a network can expose network members to new and innovative agroecological practices, such as increasing agrobiodiversity, thus, contributing to livelihood strategies that mitigate environmental and market risk. Furthermore, we show that these knowledge networks were crop-specific where network size varied given the type of crop produced. Such factors, which may influence the rate and extent of agroecological knowledge diffusion, are critical for the effectiveness of land management practices as well as the persistence of agriculture development interventions.

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Section: Gender and Agricultural Knowledge Networksupporting

confidence: 61%

Development Interventions and Agriculture Adaptation: A Social Network Analysis of Farmer Knowledge Transfer in Ghana

et al. 2016

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“…The distance to the nearest market place from the household in kilometers was used as proxy to market access. Distance to market place might have impact on the access to information and agricultural technology and thus influences the level of efficiency (Thuo et al, 2014), since access to market encourage surplus production for market and also enhance access to agricultural inputs, it is expected to have positive impact on efficiency by minimizing the transaction costs (Latruffe et al, 2004). Participation in an extension program dummy, which is equals 1 if the farmers received extension service and 0 otherwise, is included to test the hypothesis that access to extension service improves efficiency (Kilic et al, 2009;Mango et al, 2015).…”

Section: Definition Of Variables Used In Efficiency Analysis and The mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The foregoing arguments underscore the need for increased efficiency as a way of increasing productivity and this is a major focus in this study Groundnut provides dietary nutrients and income for humans, and protein rich fodder for livestock (Chinma et al, 2014;John et al, 2004;Okello et al, 2010); it contributes to food security and overall economic growth (Kassie et al, 2011;Thuo et al, 2014); moreover, it is a stable crop in Eastern and Southern African countries, especially in Uganda, Kenya and Malawi, and has the highest return for labor inputs compared with other crops (Okello et al, 2010;Thuo et al, 2014). In Malawi, although groundnut production has been on the rise, the productivity remains low with average yield of 7 t/ha in smallholder farms (Simtowe et al, 2010); similar findings have been reported in Kenya, where productivity of the crop has been reported to range between 30 and 50%, below the potential yield, with an average output level of 6 to 7 t/ha; and in Uganda with a yield of 8 t/ha, against the potential yield of 30 t/ha (Minde et al, 2016;Okello et al, 2010;Thuo et al, 2014). High levels of inefficiency by smallholder groundnut producers have led to lower productivity (Okello et al, 2010;Simtowe et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Profit efficiency analysis among groundnut farmers from Malawi

Bocher¹,

Simtowe²

2017

J. Dev. Agric. Econ.

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This study analyzes the profit efficiency and its determinants in groundnut production, applying a stochastic profit frontier model on survey data collected from 400 groundnut growing households in Malawi. The result indicated that the inefficiencies in groundnut production hindered profitability in the sector. The profit efficiency ranged from 1% to 89% (with a mean of 45%). Significant association was observed between efficiency and both farm specific and institutional factors. Efficiency appeared to be significantly and positively associated with access to extension service (p<0.05), household size (p<0.05) and, soil quality (p<0.000). Distance to the local market from the homestead (p<0.000), and land size (p<0.000) allocated to groundnut production were found to reduce the profit efficiency. Maleheaded households, on the average were six percent more efficient compared to female headed households. The study indicated potential for increasing groundnut profitability by 55% by improving the access to extension services and markets, which underscores the need for increased resource allocation to support the delivery of extension services and to the improvement of market infrastructure for the enhancement of groundnut profitability.

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“…Broadacre and grazing farmers in the Border Rivers-Gwydir (BRG) CMA region were found to be more likely to seek out other farmers for information on natural resource management rather than go to the CMA or to Landcare (Figure 8). They cite the strength of their ties as a factor [135]. The more worrying trend is the decline in these regional-level organisations as sources of information, especially Landcare (Figure 8).…”

Section: Developing Social Network For Knowledge Exchangementioning

confidence: 99%

Are Australian and United States Farmers Using Soil Information for Soil Health Management?

Bruyn

Andrews

2016

Sustainability

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Soil health is an essential requirement of a sustainable, functioning agroecosystem. Tracking soil health to determine sustainability at the local level largely falls to farmers, even though they often lack access to critical information. We examine farmers' participation in gathering soil information at the farm and paddock scale over the last two decades in Australia and the United States, by reviewing national-level reporting of farmer use of soil testing and farm planning as well as qualitative research on farmer perspectives. The level of participation in soil testing and farm planning has remained stable in the last two decades, with only 25% and 30% of landholders, respectively, participating nationally, in either country. The review revealed national-level reporting has a number of limitations in understanding farmers' use of soil information and, in particular, fails to indicate the frequency and intensity of soil testing as well as farmer motivation to test soil or what they did with the soil information. The main use of soil testing is often stated as "determining fertilizer requirements", yet data show soil testing is used less commonly than is customary practice. In Australia and in the United States, customary practice is three and half times more likely for decisions on fertilizer application levels. The rhetoric is heavy on the use of soil testing as a decision tool, and that it guides best practices. However, given that only a quarter of farmers are soil testing, and doing so infrequently and in low densities, the level of information on soil health is poor. While farmers report consistent monitoring of soil conditions, few have consistent records of such. In contrast to the information on the poor state of soil health, there is strong farmer interest in procuring soil health benefits through changes in farm practices such as conservation tillage or cover crops, even if they are unable to demonstrate these soil health benefits through soil testing. Many farmers report the use of observation in lieu of laboratory testing. Finally, we point to the need for soil information to include observational indicators to best allow a blend of traditional extension strategies with digital technology to create communities of interest in soil management. This would transcend the boundaries between those with expertise and those with experience in soil health management.

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Effects of social network factors on information acquisition and adoption of improved groundnut varieties: the case of Uganda and Kenya

Cited by 81 publications

References 27 publications

Development Interventions and Agriculture Adaptation: A Social Network Analysis of Farmer Knowledge Transfer in Ghana

Development Interventions and Agriculture Adaptation: A Social Network Analysis of Farmer Knowledge Transfer in Ghana

Profit efficiency analysis among groundnut farmers from Malawi

Are Australian and United States Farmers Using Soil Information for Soil Health Management?

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