Climate change and agricultural technology adoption: the case of drought tolerant maize in rural Nigeria |
| |
Authors: | Justice Akpene Tambo Tahirou Abdoulaye |
| |
Institution: | (1) Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark;(2) International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria |
| |
Abstract: | Climate change is a major problem undermining agricultural production in Africa. Consequently, efforts are being made to provide
farmers with adaptation technologies, but little empirical research exists on the determinants of adopting such technologies.
This article addresses this research gap, using the case of drought tolerant maize (DTM) technology in Nigeria. With survey
data from 200 farm households and econometric techniques, we explore the determinants of whether to invest and how much to
invest in adaptation technology by smallholder farmers. Results from the study indicate that among the key determinants of
adoption are access to the technology, complementary inputs, extension services, and climate change information. We also show
that off-farm income and wealth status of a household play a significant role in adoption, implying capital constraints; hence,
it can be difficult for resource-poor farmers to adopt the technology. Moreover, the farmers identified cost of the technology
and complementary inputs, particularly fertilizer as major constraints to adoption. We conclude that while the DTM technology
is suitable and important in helping smallholder maize farmers to continue to produce under a changing climate, more support
is needed for them to invest in the technology and overcome adoption constraints. Necessary interventions include improving
access to information about climate change and the available adaptation technology, timely access to the technology and complementary
inputs, and improving access to credit, particularly for the resource-poor farm households. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|