The role of social networks in the adoption of competing new technologies in Ghana

Abstract

We use a detailed dataset to examine the impact of social networks, conditional on contextual and individual confounders, on farmers' adoption of competing improved soybean varieties in Ghana. Based on the contagion conceptual framework, we employ a spatial autoregressive multinomial probit model to examine how neighbours' varietal and cross-varietal adoption of improved varieties affect a farmer's adoption decision in the social network. Our results show that adoption decisions in a network tend to converge on one variety, such that beyond a threshold of adopting neighbours of that improved variety, the cross-varietal effects tend to lose significance in the network. If the shares of adopting neighbours of the improved varieties are equal, we find evidence that farmers are not more likely to adopt either improved variety compared to farmers with no neighbours who have adopted the improved varieties. The findings demonstrate the significance of neighbourhood effects in the adoption of competing technologies.

Information acquisition and the adoption of improved crop varieties

“…With regard to supply‐side factors, Yitayew et al (2022) report that smallholder farmers exposed to improved new varieties marketed in small quantities and affordable prices to increase local availability have a higher tendency to try the new varieties. Numerous studies (e.g., Abdul Mumin et al, 2022; Adhvaryu, 2014; Bandiera & Rasul, 2006; Beaman et al, 2021; Conley & Udry, 2010; De Janvry et al, 2016) have also demonstrated the importance of farmers' access to information on improved varieties for adoption of these varieties.…”

Technical efficiency of teff farms in Ethiopia: Do neighborhood effects matter? A copula stochastic frontier and spatial Durbin regression

“…Moreover, Economists have explored how social networks influence farmers' learning regarding improved agricultural technologies. The findings suggest that social networks and neighborhood effects significantly influence the spread of proven agricultural technologies, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and fostering the adoption of farm innovations [ 10 , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] ].…”

Hand pollination, mass spraying, and hybrid seedlings: Do these technologies affect the welfare of smallholder cocoa farmers in Ghana?

“…On the other hand, Cocoa Hi-Tech initiatives aim to provide hybrid seeds to smallholder farmers to enhance their cocoa yields (Mumin et al, 2022). But despite these efforts, cocoa technology adoption rates remain low (Mumin et al, 2022).…”

“…However, adoption of improved agricultural technologies in Ghana and sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) tends to be quite low (Aneani et al, 2012; Asfaw et al, 2012; Lu et al, 2021; Tibamanya et al, 2022). This is particularly evident in the cocoa sector, where adoption rates for improved technologies remain low (Agyemang et al, 2020; Mumin et al, 2022; Obeng‐Ofori et al, 2021). It therefore, follows that nurturing the adoption of improved cocoa production technologies requires knowledge of the determinants of adoption of crop‐specific technologies as well as their effects on household welfare.…”

“…Specifically, cocoa mass spraying is one of the CODAPEC programs, a cocoa productivity‐enhancing intervention by the Government of Ghana. On the other hand, Cocoa Hi‐Tech initiatives aim to provide hybrid seeds to smallholder farmers to enhance their cocoa yields (Mumin et al, 2022). But despite these efforts, cocoa technology adoption rates remain low (Mumin et al, 2022).…”