Modeling the adoption and use intensity of improved maize seeds in Benin, West-Africa: Double-hurdle approach

Abstract

Improved maize seeds are one of the main factors that can contribute to improving maize productivity. This paper was carried out with the aim of identifying the determinants of adoption and improved maize seeds’ intensity use on households in all areas favourable to maize production in Benin using pooled data on 490 producers. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, percentage, frequency distribution, t and chi-square tests were used to summarize the characteristics of the sampled producers. Cragg's Double Hurdle model was also used to categorize producers who adopted or who did not adopt improved maize seed and those who intensified the use of improved maize seed. The results showed that literacy, easy access to improved seed, specific training received on the use of improved varieties and gender, affected the adoption of improved maize seed while easy access to improved seed, maize yield, relationship with extension services, total household size, age squared, number of experience years in maize production, and distance from the producer to where the seed was purchased had a significant influence on the decision to intensify the use of improved maize seed. The fact that the variable easy access to improved seeds affected not only the adoption of improved seeds but also the intensification of their use, confirmed that access to improved seeds was an indisputable success factor for the intensification of improved seed use. Giving producers the capacity to obtain improved maize seed that was financially and geographically improved was a very important aspect to be considered by policy makers in the definition of agricultural policies. Predisposing factors for access(perception of varieties, attitudes towards the choice of new varieties, knowledge and management of these varieties)and capacity factors for access(income, availability of seeds in the environment, and seed prices)must be considered. The establishment of a wide seed distribution network through government and non-governmental organizations or private actors could, therefore, be important to reduce transaction costs and improve access to improved maize seed, and then increase the rate of adoption and continued use of improved seed.

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“…As noted, the Tobit model is nested in the Cragg model and it is possible to compare these two models through a standard LR test when the determinants in the probability and intensity of adoption are the same (Mahoussi et al, 2021). Thus, rejection of the null hypothesis (Γ>χ 2 k) argues for the superiority of the Double Hurdle model over the Tobit model and therefore establishes that the decision about adoption and extent of adoption or participation are made in two different stages.…”

“…Where  and  are the standard normal cumulative distribution function and the density function respectively. Consequently, the test of hypothesis for the Double Hurdle model versus the Tobit model is determined by estimating the Tobit, truncated regression and the Probit models separately (Mahoussi, Adegbola, Aoudji, Kouton-Bognon, & Biaou, 2021). In addition, the log likelihood ratio (LR) test is used to determine the appropriateness of either the Tobit or Double Hurdle model when the determinants in both hurdles are the same (Mahoussi et al, 2021).…”