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Degraded land is a major danger to agricultural productivity and food security in Ethiopia. Sustainable land management technologies (SLMTs), through targeted interventions, have been applied to address this problem. Notwithstanding some of the known agricultural and environmental benefits connected with the adoption of some SLMTs, the adoption rate remains below expectations. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the relationships and determinants of the adoption of SLMTs in eastern and southern Ethiopia. Data were collected from 384 sampled households selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics and multivariate probit (MVP) model were used to analyze data. Estimated results of MVP revealed that the adoption of SLMTs is positively and significantly influenced by education level, livestock, membership in a social group, extension contacts, access to SLM information, training, credit, land tenure, and slope, while age, farm distance, and the number of active family members due to youth migration abroad had negative effects. The widely adopted SLMTs on farmlands were inorganic fertilizer (49.5%), soil bunds (48.4%), bench terraces (47.2%), intercropping (46.1%), and manure (38%). This study concluded that farmers invested a blend of SLMTs, some of which complemented and others substituted for one another. Therefore, policy-makers and planners should focus on fortifying human and local institutions’ capacity to implement SLM and consider SLM technology interdependencies before communicating with farmers.

Abstract The adoption of improved agricultural technology packages is vital in Ethiopia, as the expansion of cultivable land appears nearly exhausted and population size has skyrocketed. However, the country has shown a low adoption rate. Thus, this study aimed to explore the factors that hinder or facilitate the adoption of multiple maize technology packages and intensity of adoption in the northern Sidama zone of Ethiopia. A multistage sampling procedure was applied to gather cross-sectional data from 424 farm households owning 545 maize plots. A multivariate probit and two-limit Tobit models were applied to address the study objectives. The conditional probability results confirmed that maize technology packages are complementary (positive relationship). This infers that agriculture-focused policies that influence the adoption of a single component of technology packages can have a reinforcing advantage over the adoption of other technologies. Furthermore, the results from the models showed that farmers with greater experience, family size, plot size, livestock and oxen ownership, number of maize plots owned, off-farm income, access to credit, extension services and membership in institutions are more likely to adopt at least one of the improved technology packages and achieved a better status of intensity of adoption. Therefore, it is crucial to reinforce and deliver quality extension services, provide credit access, motivate youth to be involved in farming activities, inspire membership and ease the system to access inputs and technologies for broader adoption of technology packages.

Understanding farmers’ perceptions and responses to climate change (CC) is crucial for decision-makers to design effective adaptation strategies. This study examines farmers’ perceptions of CC, their adaptation responses, and the determinants influencing their decisions on CC adaptation strategies in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Data were collected from 339 randomly selected household heads in two districts using a semi-structured questionnaire. Additionally, focus group discussions were held at each Kebele to support the findings from the quantitative survey. Farmers in the study area are aware of CC and its adverse impacts on agriculture and ecosystems. In response, they adopt various strategies, including changing planting dates, switching to short-maturing varieties, practising soil and water conservation, livestock diversification, destocking livestock, and small-scale irrigation. Results from the multivariate probit model employed indicate that the educational level of the household head, farm size, income, farm experience, livestock ownership, and membership in a farmer cooperative significantly influence farmers’ choices of adaptation strategies. The study’s findings suggest the need for substantial investment in farmer schooling, diversifying farmers’ sources of income to generate backup savings, and focusing on the start-up of local community organizations. Furthermore, there is a need to improve the capacity of farmers to adopt autonomous and policy-driven adaptation strategies.

The promotion of climate-resilient practices (CRPs) requires the development of the capacity of farmers to adopt these practices owing to the knowledge-intensive nature of technologies. Extension services serve as a conduit for facilitating the conceptualization of CRPs and are instrumental in improving the resiliency and mitigation of climate change. We used a social-ecological framework and a multivariate probit model to analyze the drivers of the CRP uptake in moisture-stressed areas in Ethiopia, with a particular focus on extension services. Unlike previous studies that investigated a single technology, we considered a bundle of technologies. We focused on the use of two capital-intensive CRPs (drought-resistant seed and inorganic fertilizer) and four knowledge-intensive CRPs (minimum tillage, farmyard manure, water-saving technology, and crop residue retention). The role of extension services in promoting other CRPs beyond input and capital-intensive technologies was insignificant. Heterogeneity analysis revealed that the correlation between extension services and the adoption of other knowledge-intensive natural resource management practices holds irrespective of the proximity to the extension service providers. This finding highlights the need for targeted and tailored interventions that support farmers to address the challenges faced by them in moisture-stressed areas. Accordingly, we propose continuously improving the ability of the extension service providers to promote climate-change adaptation knowledge and practices. This should be accompanied by efforts to strengthen a pluralistic extension system, improve land tenure security, and decrease transaction costs for farmers through output market linkages.

Agricultural mechanization is one of the key components that enhance agricultural intensification. Thus, this study investigates determinants of agricultural machine renting of smallholder farmers using cross-sectional data obtained from 192 agricultural machine users and 208 non-users of agricultural machine smallholder farmers from West Gojjam zone, Ethiopia. Three districts were selected because of the presence of agricultural mechanization intervention The data were collected from 400 households selected randomly and proportionally from Wonberma, Burie Zuria, and Dembecha districts from January to April 2021 year. To describe and analyze the data descriptive statistics and econometric model were used. The descriptive statistics show among agricultural machine renting households about 25.3% households were rented tractor, 22.3% combine harvester 28.54% maize Sheller and other farmers use two or all three types of machines simultaneously. The result of multivariate probit model showed that correlation coefficient between tractor and combine harvester, tractor, and maize Sheller, and combine harvester and maize Sheller were 63.1, 48.2, and 68.6%, respectively. The positive sign indicates the adoption of one type of machine enhancing the marginal productivity of other types of machines. Adoption of agricultural machine renting were influenced by age of households, level of education, ownership of oxen, total cultivated land, extension visit, and information access from extension agent positively and significantly. On the other hand, family size, distance to development agent and distance to the nearest market were negatively and significantly affect agricultural machine renting. Based on the finding, this paper recommends that the governmental and non-governmental organization should focus on the strengthening of formal and informal education, development of infrastructures, and extension visit which promote agricultural machine renting services.

Despite the numerous advantages of soil fertility management (SFM) practices and substantial investments to promote adoption, uptake of these technologies remains low across sub-Saharan Africa. We study the adoption and intensity of key SFM practices - improved fallow, animal manure, compost, crop residue retention, minimum tillage, inorganic fertilizer, and intercropping among rural farmers in Zambia. Data from 1234 rural farms and the multivariate probit (MVP) and generalized Poisson regression models are used. The MVP model highlights interconnections among practices, emphasizing the need for integrated interventions. Socio-demographics like gender, age, education, and household labor availability significantly influence adoption of SFM practices. Farm characteristics including experience, land ownership, livestock, and off-farm income also play pivotal roles. Accessibility of information via phones, radio, and farmer groups emerged as a crucial enabler, while extension services, credit, and proximity to markets and roads shape adoption decisions. Results indicate education, household labor, off-farm income, and group membership drive intensity of adoption. Extension contacts, training, and agro-ecological region location also affect intensity with regional variations. Key policy implications emerge. First, the complementarities among practices underscore the need for holistic strategies recognizing these synergies. Second, enhancing education specifically for younger farmers can promote adoption of SFM technologies by increasing knowledge. Third, spurring farmer groups facilitates knowledge exchange, input access, and collaborative adoption. Fourth, strategic extension services and training programs are vital to address knowledge gaps for sustained adoption. Overall, this study provides insights to guide policies for promoting SFM practices among rural farms.

AbstractProduct upgrading is the most viable solution for small holder farmers to increase their income and capture more of the value of their product in the value chain. This paper was aimed at assessing factors affecting smallholder tomato producers’ participation decisions in product upgrading (adopting improved variety, pesticide application, and staking). Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources of data. Semi-structured interview, focus group discussion, key informant interview, and personal observation were used to collect data. To analyse data obtained from sample respondents, descriptive and econometric models (multivariate probit model) were used. The result of the study implied that family size, farming experience, year of school, access to market information, training, seed, and pesticide significantly and positively influenced one or more product upgrading techniques while age and market distance had negative and significant association with product upgrading. Therefore, policy and development interventions should give emphasis towards the improvement of such institutional support system so as to foster household participation in product upgrading.

Climate-smart agricultural technologies (CSATs) are important for climate change adaptation and mitigation in developing countries. Therefore, it is crucial for farmers to have access to sustainable CSATs to cope with climate change. While coffee is an important commercial crop in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), farmers suffer from coffee fluctuation in production attributed to climate variability. Accordingly, various coffee-related CSATs, notably coffee cultivars, manure and intercropping have been introduced in Kalehe Territory of the DRC to build climate resilience and adapt to changing environmental conditions. However, coffee cultivars are not widely used. This study fitted a two-step Heckman model to correct for selection bias on a randomly selected cross-sectional sample of 442 smallholder coffee farmers to examine the drivers of CSATs uptake in Kalehe Territory. The model results showed that family labour, non-farm income, access to credit and extension services, and residing in Butumba Village were the major factors influencing the decision of coffee farmers to use CSATs. The results revealed that manure and new coffee cultivars, manure and intercropping combined with manure had the potential to be substitutes for each other. The study recommends that policy makers and other stakeholders in CSATs support the dissemination of CSATs, especially coffee cultivars, to facilitate access. There is need to promote extension services so that the combination of intercropping and manure can help to increase coffee farmers’ welfare. The government should support farmers’ use of CSATs through either the subsidization of coffee cultivars or the provision of cheap agricultural credit.

Climate change and soil fertility decline are major hurdles to agricultural ecosystems. Despite the importance of climate-resilient practices (CRPs) in enhancing food security, poverty alleviation and nutritional security, awareness and adoption remain low in most developing countries, including Kenya. We assessed the determinants of simultaneous awareness and adoption of CRPs and their intensity in Central Highlands of Kenya. The CRPs considered in this study were inorganic fertilizer and manure integration, manure, mulching, crop residues, cover crop, crop rotation and intercrop. The study used a cross-sectional survey design and collected data from 400 smallholders in Central Highlands of Kenya. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate probit and Poisson regression. Our findings showed that awareness and adoption of specific CRPs and their intensity were determined by occupation, age, farming experience, household size, soil fertility management, climate change adaptation, agricultural training, and geographical location. Smallholders’ agricultural training was an important determinant of awareness, adoption level, and intensity. Our findings underscored the need for agricultural policymakers and extension systems to design farmer-driven training programs for enhanced awareness and adoption of CRPs.

Despite global and developing countries' efforts to address maltreatment across various sectors, limited attention has been given to its impact on agriculture. This study investigates the effects of maltreatment of smallholder youth farmers specifically physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse on agricultural productivity among smallholder youth farmers. Employing a statistical research design, data from the Tanzania Integrated Labor Force Survey 2020/21 are analyzed. The study utilizes a Multivariate Probit (MVP) model to estimate determinants of maltreatment, and instrumental variable models (Two Stage Least Squares, Two Stage Residual Inclusion, and Control Function Approach) to estimate the effects of maltreatment on agricultural productivity with proximity to local law enforcement as an instrument to control endogeneity. The results reveal that Tanga (21.46%), Morogoro (17.08%), Kilimanjaro (17.06%), and Dodoma (15.00%) exhibit a high prevalence of maltreatment practices among youths, whereas Geita, Kusini Pemba, Kusini Unguja, Mjini Magharibi, Njombe, Rukwa, Simiyu, and Tabora display relatively few instances. Furthermore, factors such as gender, age, residence, and disabilities are key determinants of maltreatment. Additionally, maltreatment has varying effects in reducing agricultural productivity significantly such that physical abuse (β = −0.2315, p < 0.01), sexual abuse (β = −0.4281, p < 0.01), and emotional abuse (β = −0.1965, p < 0.01). This study implies that addressing maltreatment is crucial for enhancing the well-being and productivity of smallholder youth farmers. Moreover, it informs policy on the need for targeted interventions to mitigate maltreatment and recommends gender-sensitive agricultural policies, rural development initiatives, educational and skill-building programs, disability-inclusive policies, workplace support, and mental health resources, and the integration of technology for sustainable agricultural practices.

IntroductionThere is a global priority to ensure food security, environmental conservation and sustainability. The adoption of inputs such as organic manures, biofertilisers, and biopesticides has been widely promoted as a way to enhance agricultural sustainability, yet their adoption rates remain notably low. The study examines the determinants and impact of the adoption of multiple sustainable inputs by paddy farmers in India. The study also examines the drivers behind the intensity of their adoption and their technical efficiency.MethodsThe study utilises the survey dataset on paddy farmers from “Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households and Land and Livestock Holdings of Households in Rural India” of the 77th National Sample Survey (NSSO) round. The reference period for data collection was the agricultural year from July 2018 to June 2019. The analytical methods employed include the Multivariate Probit and Ordered Probit models, Seemingly Unrelated Regression, Regression Adjustment model, and Stochastic Frontier method.ResultsThe empirical findings reveal that the adoption and intensity of sustainable inputs depend significantly on factors such as the household head’s age and education, household size, and access to extension services. Adopting sustainable inputs has significant benefits, such as increased harvest value. However, the currently available technical advisory services are limited in effectively promoting the expenditure on sustainable inputs. Technical efficiency analysis underscores the potential for improvement and the importance of utilising optimal input levels. The research findings provide strong evidence in favour of advocating for the use of sustainable inputs in paddy farming.

Frequent climate variability and change had the strongest direct influences on the availability and accessibility of food through reducing agricultural productivity and cropping patterns. Despite the Ethiopian government having made substantial efforts to boost production and productivity through the introduction of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices (CSAPs), the implementation of these practices by smallholder wheat farmers has remained low. This study, therefore, tried to investigate the determinants of the adoption of CSAPs in Northwestern Ethiopia. The primary data were gathered from 385 randomly selected wheat producers (including 702 plot-level observations). The CSAPs considered in this investigation were wheat row planting, crop rotation, and improved wheat varieties. The factors that influence the adoption of CSAPs were determined using a multivariate probit (MVP) model. The results revealed that the age of the sampled wheat producer farmers, education level of sampled wheat farmers, livestock holding, contact with development agents, credit access, off-farm activities participation, distance to input supply institution, slope of the plot, and soil fertility status of the plot were the major determinants of the adoption of CSAPs. The study suggested that policy-makers and stakeholders should strengthen farmers’ skills by providing sufficient and effective short-term training. Moreover, encouraging mixed crop-livestock production systems, strengthening credit access, development agents, and access to near-input supply institutions are required to scale-up the adoption of CSAPs.

Increasing agricultural productivity through the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) offers a credible pathway to addressing food insecurity while preserving vital ecosystem resources, as such, factors that drive farmers' decisions to adopt these SAPs need examination. Most extant studies, on the adoption of SAPs, however, tend to place emphasis on socioeconomic incentives, giving little attention to the role of professional networks and institutional factors especially on oil palm which has strong links to deforestation and reduction in tree cover despite the numerous economic benefits. Using cross-sectional data from six oil palm producing regions in Ghana, this study analyses the role of producer membership, links with institutions such as NGOs, and extension access in the adoption of improved seeds, fertilizers, pest management practices, soil and moisture conservation practices, and legume cover crops among oil palm farmers in Ghana. The study employs a multivariate probit model to examine the probability of adopting SAPs and a poisson regression to model the intensity of SAPs adopted. The study also uses the instrumental variable approach to circumvent the issue of endogeneity. Results indicate that these networks and institutions significantly affect farmers’ adoption of SAPs. The study also finds heterogeneous associations with the adoption decisions depending on the type of innovation. In particular, we show evidence that farmers’ link with formal institutions is negatively associated with the adoption of diverse input intensive technologies, whereas it is positively associated with the adoption of natural resource management technologies. However, we find a consistent positive association of membership of producer organization on the adoption of different SAPs except legume cover cropping. Though differing relationships, we find that extension access and membership of producer organization are significantly associated with the intensity of SAPs adoption. Taken together, our findings suggest an integrated approach by the actors in the promotion of SAPs.

Heat-tolerant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) can be used to alleviate the impact of climate variability, increase productivity, and increase income of smallholder vegetable farmers under tropical conditions. Adoption of improved nursery practices and willingness to adopt heat-tolerant tomato varieties under tropical conditions was examined. Using data from 432 tomato farmers, multivariate probit and tobit regression models were used to assess willingness to adopt heat-tolerant varieties and number of nursery practices. Willingness to adopt heat-tolerant tomato varieties was positively influenced by education, experience, and extension contacts. Adoption of improved nursery practices was influenced by sex, household size, off-farm income, credit, education and extension. These results will enable decision-makers to prioritize strategies that target educated farmers with more years of experience in tomato production and have contacts with extension to enhance the adoption of heat-tolerant tomato seeds with complementary improved nursery practices to increase productivity and income of smallholder tomato farmers under tropical conditions.

Adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices are believed to have significantly lessened the devastating impact of climate change on agriculture. However, in countries like Ethiopia, the adoption and use level of climate-smart agriculture practices remains low. The understanding of farmers’ levels of CSA practice adoption and influencing factors is therefore crucial. The goal of the study is to evaluate the degree to which various CSA practices were being used in the study area, as well as adoption determinants. The study was conducted in Welmera district, Oromia, Ethiopia. Three kebeles were chosen from the district, and a random sample of 306 farmers was picked. We used a cross-sectional household survey, a focus group discussion, and interviews with key informants. A multivariate probit model was employed to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of multiple climate-smart agriculture practices. According to the result, conservation agriculture, integrated soil fertility management, and crop diversification are the most often used CSA practices. The results also revealed that male farmers outperformed female farmers in terms of crop diversity and improved animal feed and feeding practice adoption. The age of farmers has a considerable and unfavorable impact on their likelihood of adopting improved soil fertility management and crop diversification practices. However, it has a positive and considerable impact on the adoption of agroforestry practices. With regards to economic factors, having a relatively big farmland area considerably enhances the adoption of conservation agriculture, enhances soil fertility management and crop diversity, and improves livestock feed and feeding methods and post-harvest technology practice. Improved livestock feed and feeding are more likely to be used with higher farm income. Having a significant number of animals strongly promotes the adoption of conservation agriculture, and access to financial services positively impacts agroforestry, diversification of crops, and postharvest technology practice adoption. Furthermore, institutional factors including access to agricultural extension services and training were discovered to be important and beneficial for crop diversification; similarly, access to field day participation was discovered to have a significant and positive impact on the adoption of conservation agriculture and improved soil fertility management practices. It is critical to raise awareness about climate change among farmers and experts, as well as to incorporate location-specific CSA practices into agricultural programs.

Purpose – Change of climate is attributed to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere observed over comparable periods. The purpose of this paper is to explore smallholder farmers' perceptions of climate change and compare it with meteorological data, as well as to identify perceived adaptation barriers and examine the factors that influence the choice of adaptation options in eastern Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 384 sample households were chosen from four districts of the zone. A cross-sectional survey was used to conduct the study. Primary data was acquired through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and semistructured interviews, whereas meteorological data was collected from the National Meteorological Service Agency of Ethiopia. A Mann–Kendall statistical test was used to analyze temperature and rainfall trends over 33 years. A multivariate probit (MVP) model was used to identify the determinants of farmers' choice of climate change adaptation strategies. Findings – The result indicated that temperature was significantly increased, whereas rainfall was significantly reduced over the time span of 33 years. This change in climate over time was consistently perceived by farmers. Smallholder farmers use improved varieties of crops, crop diversification, adjusting planting dates, soil and water conservation practices, reducing livestock holdings, planting trees and small-scale irrigation adaptation strategies. Moreover, this study indicated that sex of the household head, landholding size, livestock ownership, access to extension, access to credit, social capital, market distance, access to climate change-related training, nonfarm income, agroecological setting and poverty status of the households significantly influence farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies. Research limitations/implications – Further research is required to evaluate the economic impact of each adaptation options on the livelihood of smallholder farmers. Practical implications – Institutional variables significantly influenced how farmers adapted to climate change, and all of these issues might potentially be addressed by improving institutional service delivery. To improve farm-level adaptation, local authorities are recommended to investigate the institutional service provision system while also taking demographic and agroecological factors in to account. Originality/value – This study compared farmers' perceptions with temperature and rainfall trend analysis, which has been rarely addressed by other studies. This study adopts an MVP model and indicated the adaptation strategies that complement/substitute strategies each other. Furthermore, this study discovered that the choice of adaptation options differed between poor and nonpoor households, which has been overlooked in previous climate change adaptation research.

A study was undertaken to analyse farmers’ access to various agricultural extension service sources, their preferences and to delineate underlying determinants for their access. The study used NSSO 77th survey dataset of 14,782 households of IGP states (Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal). Farmers’ preferences varied, with private agencies—particularly input dealers—emerging as the top choice, followed by traditional mass media channels and the public extension system. Utility of Cooperative model, and farmer-based organizations have not yet been fully explored for information needs. The inputs (seeds, fertilizers, plant protection) were the most sought-after information. However, in an era of changing needs, farmers should strive to acquire additional information on aspects such as marketing, climate change, and post-harvest functions. The type of information sought by the farmers, influences their preferred sources of extension services. Irrespective of the source, the degree of access diminishes with the decreasing landholding. Among the five IGP states, Haryana emerged as the champion of information access for farmers, while Bihar lagged. Multivariate probit analysis reported that the likelihood of access to agricultural information sources was positively influenced by age, gender, education, size of operational landholding, irrigated area, and sale of produce at MSP. The study suggests making the extension services for small and socio-economically marginalized farmers more inclusive. Inclusiveness of extension services is essential for sustainability because it ensures that all farmers, regardless of their landholding, gender, age, caste, etc., have access to knowledge and resources they need to adopt improved agricultural practices and thus, secure prosperous livelihoods.

Smallholder households in developing countries often face challenges related to market access. Despite being proposed as a potential solution, cooperatives in the north of Benin have reportedly failed to effectively address this issue. The alternatives channels used by smallholder famers and the factors that influence their choices remain unclear. This paper adopts a mixed approach, combining qualitative analysis with quantitative methods, particularly the multivariate probit model, to investigate the distribution channels of maize used by farmers in the Kandi district of Benin. The study aims to identify the current distribution channels of maize in Kandi and analyze factors that affect, smallholder producers choice of marketing channel. Initially, the study identified four primary channels for marketing maize—namely, collectors, wholesalers, brokers, and cooperatives—and producers typically commonly engage in multiple channels simultaneously. Subsequently, It becomes evident that factors such as age, cooperative membership, distance to market, reliance on informal credit, average maize bag prices, and the timing of sales significantly influence producers' selection of marketing channels. Interestingly, despite cooperatives offering comparatively higher prices, the majority of farmers opt for collectors due to the informal credit they provide and their practice of purchasing large volumes of maize bags at pre-agreed prices. In conclusion, enhancing joint-selling capabilities of cooperatives and establishing a credit provision business tailored to maize producers are identified as crucial steps. These measures aim to alleviate producers’ financial strain, diminish their dependence on collectors for credit, and bolster their bargaining power in the market.

Abstract Background Increasing agricultural productivity has long been touted as the main avenue to lifting the rural poor out of poverty and ensuring their sustainable development. The adoption of sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) is vital for spurring agricultural productivity in a changing climate environment. This paper examines the factors (including long-term climate variability) influencing the adoption of multiple SAPs (improved seeds, organic and inorganic fertilizers, and legume intercropping) and their impact on crop productivity. Methodology This study uses a nationally representative, geo-referenced plot-level data from a household survey in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select households for the survey. The multivariate and ordered probit models were employed to estimate the adoption and intensity of adoption respectively, while the instrumental variables approach was used to examine the impact of the technologies on productivity. Results The results provide evidence of interdependences between the SAPs, and that the factors that determine the initial adoption decisions are not necessarily the same factors that influence the intensity of use of the technologies. Climate risks in terms of high variability in temperature and rainfall affect SAPs adoption and their intensity of use. Access to agricultural extension, years of education and off-farm activities of the plot manager, and household wealth influence the use of improved seeds and inorganic fertilizer. Organic fertilizers are used mainly by households with large livestock units and those that live in areas with low soil nutrients and greenness index. In general, the intensity of SAPs adoption is influenced by wage and off-farm activities, and access to agricultural extension services. On the productivity side, inorganic fertilizer is positively correlated with plot-level productivity. Conclusions These results have implications for rural development policies in Nigeria aimed at nudging farmers to adopt multiple technologies on their plots, while enhancing an outward shift of their crop production functions. Providing technical and financial resources to extension agents is crucial so they could better reach rural smallholder households with the knowledge and benefits of these SAPs. In addition, smallholder households should diversify their livelihood portfolios to include non-farm income generating activities. Agricultural Research and Development should target factors that respond to climate variabilities (such as drought resistant and early maturing varieties). There is a need for improved infrastructures (road networks to allow easy market access as well as access to credit) that will allow farmers to access these innovations.

AbstractFood-borne diseases remain a pressing global health issue, particularly in developing countries. Inadequate knowledge and low adoption of food safety practices among beef sellers lead to cross-contamination of raw beef, significantly contributing to the occurrence of beef-borne diseases. To effectively address this problem, it is crucial to prioritize the development of perception and adoption of food safety practices among beef sellers and consumers. Therefore, this paper examines perception and adoption of food safety practices using data from 820 beef sellers and 562 beef consumers in Ghana. We found positive perceptions with beef consumers and sellers about food safety practices. Additionally, the adoption of food safety practices by beef sellers was influenced by gender, age, educational level, income, credit access, engaged in other economic activity and membership of association. To ensure sustainable and healthy beef processing, consumption and marketing, enforcement of periodic medical examinations and hygienic selling environments should be considered. Policies for strengthening credit access capacity to drive the adherence to safety practices should be geared towards sellers in the beef industry.

AbstractChickpea is a popular food in Ethiopia and is an important source of income for many smallholder farmers. In order to promote chickpea cultivation and make it more economically viable, it is necessary to determine which markets are most suitable. Among the econometric models, the multivariate probit model is appropriate and was used to study the determinants affecting the choice of outlets for chickpea in the district. The model found that wholesalers and retailers (61% and 18% of total buyers, respectively) were the most likely to purchase chickpeas. Collectors (25% of buyers) and consumers (35% of buyers) are also important, but are less likely to succeed compared to the other market participants. Based on these results, the government and other stakeholders need to focus on developing infrastructure and improving access to credit to help farmers decide which market to target and choose the best one.

AbstractBamboo meets a growing and various bamboo product demands and generates revenue. The study aimed to analyze the factors that affect the choice of alternative bamboo market outlets. By using two stages sampling procedures, 114 bamboo producers were randomly and proportionally selected. The determinants that affect the choice of bamboo market outlets were analyzed by multivariate probit (MVP) model. Based on the model result, the probability of bamboo producers to select wholesalers, retailers, processors and local traders outlet were 16.8%, 46.2%, 60.8% and 54.3%, respectively. The probability of success and failure to select four market outlets were 2.5% and 2.2%, respectively. The result of MVP revealed that family size, total land holding size, amount of culm production, farming experience, distance to the market and silviculture management practice affect the probability of farmers market outlet choice. Therefore, this study gives an emphasis to the analysis of bamboo market outlets for bamboo culm producers to increase the market return for producers.

Given that Ethiopian agriculture is seriously threatened by climate change, understanding the factors that influencing the adoption of various climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices supports policy interventions to reduce negative effects of climate change. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring determinants of the adoption of multiple CSA practices by focusing on crop production. This study used data from 271 randomly selected smallholder farmers from the Gamo, Gofa and Konso zones of Southern Ethiopia, and a multivariate probit (MVP) model was used to analyze the data. Crop diversification, irrigation, drought-tolerant and early-maturing crop varieties, integrated soil fertility management, and integrated pest management were prominent CSA practices to improve crop productivity, increase adaptivity capacity, and mitigate the adverse climate change effects in the study area. The study's findings indicate that the adoption of CSA practices varies considerably between farmers and agroecology. The MVP simulation result reveals that farmers’ adoption decisions for CSA practices are highly interdependent, indicating that farmers adopt two or more adaptation and mitigation strategies as mutual CSA practices. Furthermore, the regression result reveals that the education level of farmers, extension contact, accessing climate variability information, access to irrigation facilities, and social group participation were similar underlying factors that affected the adoption decision of CSA practices. By providing climate change information, respective organizations should encourage farmers to utilize available alternate irrigation access and climate-resilient crop varieties. In addition, strengthening social norms through agricultural cooperatives and training on the application of integrated pest management and soil fertility management are suggested to spur farmers' CSA uptake.

Financial inclusion has become an important goal of the global development agenda, particularly for post-conflict and fragile states. Enhancing financial inclusion is vital for a country like Burundi which aims to achieve inclusive growth in its attempt to break free of its fragility. However, the adoption of instruments of financial inclusion such as bank account, microfinance account and mobile money account is low due to weak institutional capacity leading to high-risk exposure and a greater risk of economic instability. This study examines the factors that influence the adoption of these instruments of financial inclusion using the Multivariate Probit and Poisson regression models. The results show that there is a significant correlation between the instruments of financial inclusion, signifying that the adoption of these instruments is interrelated. The analysis also reveals that, factors such as receipt of government transfers, receipt of remittances, education, membership of a social network, access to electricity, employment status, and area of residence influence both the probability and intensity/extent of adoption of the instruments of financial inclusion. By implication, policymakers should enhance access to electricity, formalise employment and strengthen social networks to improve the adoption of financial inclusion instruments.

Understanding the choice of healthcare facility utilisation is essential to the provision of need-based healthcare services to the population. This study was carried out to estimate factors influencing the choice of healthcare facilities utilised by rural households. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 240 rural households comprising 1440 persons. Data were collected with the use of a structured questionnaire and analysed with descriptive techniques and a multivariate probit (MVP) model. The MVP result showed that households supplement public healthcare facilities with private clinics, support traditional medical treatment with self-medication, and replace self-medication with public healthcare facilities and private clinics. Similarly, age, gender, household size, cost of drugs, distance to public healthcare facilities, travelling cost, contact with community health workers, total income, awareness of public health facilities, quality of health facilities, and terrain of health facilities influence the choice of healthcare facilities utilised. The study concluded that increased total income, contact with community health extension workers, awareness of health facilities, and perceived quality of services rendered positively influence the choice of healthcare facilities sorted after while the increase in the cost of drugs, distance to health facilities, travelling cost and difficult terrain of health facilities negatively impact the choice of healthcare facilities utilised. The study recommended that public healthcare facilities should be located within the reach of the people and equipped with essential drugs at a reduced cost. Households should also engage in activities that will increase their income so that they can use better healthcare facilities.

Abstract Background Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production, such as farmers’ livelihood and the soil quality, has been identified to be strong influenced by climate change in China. However, the benefits of low carbon technologies (LCTs) are still debatable in rice production for farmers, which have been identified to tackle agricultural challenges. The choice of potential LCTs relevant to the case study is based on a literature review of previous empirical studies. Thus, the objectives of the study were to (1) investigate the public perception and preferences of LCTs in rice production of China, and (2) analyze the influences of the factors on farmer’s decision in adopting LCTs in rice production. There were 555 farmer surveys from eight representative rice production counties in HP province of southern China, both the Poisson estimators and multivariate probit (MVP) approach were applied in the study. Results Our results show that water-saving irrigation, integrated pest management techniques and planting green manure crops in winter season were the three major LCTs adapted by farmers in rice production. The intensity and probability of LCTs adoptions were influenced by the main factors including farmers’ education level, climate change awareness, machinery ownership, technical support and subsidies. There is a significant correlation among the LCTs, and the adoption of the technologies is interdependent, depicting either complementarities or substitutabilities between the practices. Conclusions This study suggests that policies enhance the integration of LCTs would be central to farmers’ knowledge, environmental concerns, technical service and financial support in rice production systems in China.

Efforts have been made on promoting improved chickpea technologies. However, the result is not that much impressive. This study aimed to analyze drivers of technology adoption. 224 respondents were used for this study. Multivariate Probit (MVP) and Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) models were employed. The results from MVP model, marginal success probability of adoption decision were 60%, 19%, and 17% for a variety, bio-inoculant, and chemical fertilizer, respectively. Distance from farmers' training center, farm income, livestock holding, and field day participation have significantly affected for adoption of chickpea varieties. A social network, market information, and field day participation have significantly influenced the adoption of bio-inoculant fertilizer. In addition, household size, asset owned, and field day participation has significantly influenced the adoption of chemical fertilizer. Field day participation was the most important variable for the adoption decision of chickpea technologies as a package. The results from SUR model, farmers' training center distance, farm income, livestock holding, social network and agricultural training have significantly influenced adoption intensity of improved varieties. Age, farming experience, livestock holding, social network, education status, and field day and training participation have significantly influenced the intensity of bio-inoculant adoption. In addition, Age, education status, radio owned, training participation, asset owned and farmer's perception have significantly influenced the intensity of chemical fertilizer adoption. Training participation is the most determinant factor for adoption intensity of improved technologies. Hence, government should emphasize on improving of extension services, provision of education, encouraging livestock rearing, strengthening credit access for farmers, strengthening rural infrastructure, and considering community social network for adoption of chickpea technologies.

Issues of food insufficiency among smallholder cocoa farming households persist due to low attention paid to food crops production. Employing multivariate probit technique on cross sectional data collected from cocoa farmers in Ghana, the study assessed dynamics in acceptance of four complementary agricultural technologies including improved variety, inorganic fertilizer, row planting and plant spacing. Socioeconomic and institutional factors impeding acceptance of technologies were identified. The suggestions are that, timely supply of inputs and relaxation of rules of acquisition of credit should be established. Institutional factors could be tackled more by adequately resourcing research and extension linkage systems in the developments and dissemination of improved agricultural technologies.

This study examines the drivers of improved livestock management practices (ILMP) adoption in rural Bangladesh using data from the International Food Policy Research Institute's (IFPRI) Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS). This study investigated four improved management practices: artificial insemination, concentrate feed, vaccination, and deworming. The binary logit and multivariate probit (MVP) models were used to analyse the data. According to the findings, approximately 65% of farmers practiced deworming, but only about 20% of farmers vaccinated their livestock. Logit regression analysis suggested that rural households with mobile phones and televisions were 5.2% and 3.8% more likely to adopt. Furthermore, compared to their peers, farmers who have maintained contact with livestock extension agents are 11% more likely to adopt. The MVP model indicated that likelihood of using concentrate feed increases with income, while artificial insemination is more prevalent among farmers who raise livestock for sale. Policy implication included the need for more extension agent-delivered awareness development programmes to educate livestock farmers on the benefits of ILMP. Scale-appropriate management practices can also play an important role. Farmers should be guaranteed of the availability of livestock feed and veterinary services at reasonable prices to promote adoption.

Wide uses of energy-efficient technologies have the potential to save a significant amount of electricity, which may allow deferral of construction of new power plants. However, in low-income countries, there is low use of energy-efficient technologies. This paper studies the behavioral and socio-economic determinants of urban households’ investment in energy efficiency improvements in Ethiopia. It considers multiple technologies and uses a multivariate probit model to take into account the sequential or simultaneous adoption of energy-efficient technologies. Using a random sample of 1,400 urban households from nine regions in Ethiopia, the study finds that most households (86%) adopt energy-efficient technologies and other energy conservation activities mainly to reduce energy expenditure. Interestingly, at least 12% of the respondents adopt these activities out of concern for the environment and future generations, which is encouraging. The multivariate probit regression result shows that households’ educational status, income or occupational status, access to credit, and age are significant determinants of households’ investment in energy-efficient technologies. The results illustrate there is a need for policies that incentivize or promote firms to sell energy-efficient products, for example, using installment (credit) and also a policy on the language of product specifications–using local language.

This study assessed the intensity of adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSA), identified determinants of the adoption, and examined adoption synergies and trade-offs among the practices in Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data collected by the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency with the support of the World Bank in 2018/2019. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit model. Widely promoted CSA technologies i.e. conservation tillage, manure, crop residues, compost, and soil and water conservation practices were considered in the study. The study found soil and water conservation practices were the most widely adopted technologies (77% of farmers) followed by manure application (56% of farmers), and residue cover (54% of farmers). Among the adopters, 43% and 13% of them used conservation tillage and applied compost on their farms respectively. Area-based intensity of adoption of soil and water conservation practices, residue cover, conservation tillage, manure, and compost were 63%, 25%, 18%, 14% and 3%, respectively. The study indicated improvements in government services such as extension, credit, market and watershed programs enhance adoption of CSA practices. Adoption of manure and compost, residue cover and compost, and residue cover and conservation tillage had a positive and significant correlation, implying that adopting one practice increases the likelihood of adoption of the other practice for the same farmer. In conclusion, the government needs to use the opportunity of complementarity effect among adoption decision of the practices and work on driving factors identified to enhance the adoption and build resilient agriculture.

Nowadays, a combination of natural and man-made factors has led to a decline in the physical and chemical quality of the soil. In Ethiopia, declining soil fertility and quality that lead to low agricultural production are made worse by soil erosion and nutrient depletion. Adoption and implementation of integrated soil fertility management strategies have emerged as inevitabilities in terms of development in Ethiopia generally and in the Tana sub-basin of northwest Ethiopia specifically. This study was created to evaluate the Megech watershed's integrated smallholder soil fertility management methods' adoption factors, status, and scope. A total of 380 individual farmers were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire to gather primary data. Descriptive statistics and econometric estimating methods were combined in the study. The findings supported the use of inorganic fertilizer, tree planting, organic fertilizer, stone bunds, and soil bunds by households as the primary methods for managing soil fertility. The outcomes of the econometric model also show that households' adoption decisions for integrated soil fertility management practices are highly interdependent. Additionally, there were similar underlying factors that affected the status and intensity of implementing integrated soil fertility management practices. The research concluded that effective soil management policies and programs should be designed, and implemented by smallholder farmers, agricultural experts, research centers, and governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve the quality of soil for sustainable food production. Moreover, raising the affordability of financial services and strengthening smallholder farmers' access to education help to increase their income, which in turn encourages the use of integrated soil fertility management practices.

This study mainly aimed at analyzing coffee market chain and the determinants of coffee market outlet choice decision of smallholder coffee producers in the Debub Ari District. The descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. Multivariate probit model was used to identify factors affecting market outlet choices of the smallholder coffee producers. Both primary and secondary data were collected from the study area. The multi-stage sampling techniques have been employed for this study. A total of 194 coffee producer household heads have been randomly selected and interviewed with the help of pre-tested structured questionnaire. The focus group discussion and key informants interviews were conducted to supplement the formal data. The probability of choosing collector, wholesalers, retailer, processor, consumer’s outlets is 67.1%, 66.4%, 36.9%, 71.6% and 15.3%, respectively. The joint probabilities of households to jointly choose the four market outlets was 0.031% which is greater than the likely of not choosing all market outlets which is 0.003%. Access to credit negatively influenced retailer, processor and consumer market outlet choice, distance to the nearest market negatively influenced processor market outlet choices, market information, off-farm participation positively influenced retailer and consumer market outlets choices. Therefore, the intervention is needed to improve coffee marketing chain through promoting cooperatives, infrastructural development and timely market information for efficient marketing system in the study area.

Small-scale farmers in developing countries are vulnerable and negatively impacted by climate change. To enhance resilience and decrease vulnerability, studies suggest three actions: adopting new varieties, changing cropping patterns, and improving irrigation. However, the effect of social capital on farmers' adaptation strategies has been overlooked. This study incorporated social capital and other factors identifies by previous studies, into the multiple choices adaptation decision model estimation using the multivariate probit model. Personal interviews using structured questionnaire were conducted from October to December 2019 through multistage random sampling process to identify 150 chili farming households in Malang Regency, East Java, Indonesia. The findings show that climate information affects the farmer's choice to change the cropping pattern; adopting new varieties was positively influenced by subsidies and climate information; while access to cooperatives and credit affected irrigation adaptation. Therefore, enhancing farmers' social capital could help dealing with the adverse impacts of climate change.

Abstract An understanding of factors influencing smallholder farmers’ livestock ownership at the household level is vital in formulating pro-poor livestock production policies and technologies. Hence, this study examined factors that influence livestock ownership of smallholder farmers. The data was collected randomly from three purposively selected study areas in the OR Tambo District (King Sabata Dalindyebo, Port St Johns and Ingquza Hill local municipalities) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa using a cross-sectional survey of 650 households. A multivariate probit model (MPM) was used to estimate correlates of livestock species ownership at the household level. Results indicated that education, age, household income, marital status, religion, rainfall, gender, household size and employment status influence livestock species ownership at the household level. Therefore, efforts to promote livestock ownership and production should be guided by these significant explanatory variables in the study area. Interdependence among species was also noted (cattle and sheep; goats and pigs; sheep and pigs; cattle and goats; goats and sheep), suggesting complementarity among the different types of livestock species. This complementarity among the species can possibly be explained by functional diversity generic with multi-species livestock farming which is worth supporting to enhance biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, rural resource use efficiency and socio-economic sustainability at the household level.

Research background: Beans form a substantial part of the household diet in East and Central Africa and are consumed by most households. They are alternative low-cost proteins for less endowed people in a society and can contribute towards nutrition, food security, and employment. In Homa Bay County, beans are staple food grown by a vast majority of farmers. Choice of market outlet is the most significant decision for farm households to sell their produce to the different market outlets, which has a more substantial impact on household income. Purpose of the article: Factors influencing the choice of market outlets among smallholder bean farmers in Homa Bay County, Kenya Methods: Data collected were analyzed using a Multivariate Probit. Multi-stage sampling was used to collect data from 362 farmers, which constituted 181 participants and 181 non-participants of Public-private partnerships (PPPs); data was collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Findings & value added & novelty: The market outlet choices available in the study area for sales of beans included consumers, brokers, retailers, and wholesalers; however, retailers and wholesalers constituted more than half of the market outlets. Experience in bean farming, farm size, access to training, credit, and partnership participation positively and significantly influenced selling to these market outlets. Farmers who participated in PPP participated more in bean farming than non-participants; this might be attributed to the benefit acquired from partnerships, such as training farm inputs, among others. Thus, PPP could be an effective way of improving smallholder livelihood; policies that include mechanisms that create or secure markets for smallholder farmers will see to it that they get increased returns.

Adoption of appropriate climate smart innovations is the major step towards enhancing food security, building climate resilience capacity as well as reducing or removing GHG emissions from smallholder farms to sustainably maintain agricultural livelihoods. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the rate, intensity, and determinants of multiple adoptions of climate-smart agriculture innovations among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia's Upper Blue Nile Highlands. All Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) innovations have a synergistic effect on the adoption of other innovations, with the exception of Soil and Water Conservation (SWC). The economic constraint model demonstrated that farm size, number of plots, and access to financial services influence crop residue management, crop rotation, and agroforestry adoption. Hence, a larger number of plots, a larger total farm size, and access to rural savings and credit increase the probability of adoption. The diffusion innovation model, on the other hand, asserted that frequent extension visits, market access, access to information communication, social networks, and strong tenure security have no less of an impact on the adoption of CSA innovations such as improved variety, crop residue management, crop rotation, compost, SWC, and agroforestry. Furthermore, farmers' perceived technology-specific characteristics of CSA innovations increase the likelihood of adoption. Hence, formal education, more awareness about climate change and CSA, and the ability of CSA innovations to reduce the impact of climate change risks such as rising temperatures, increased hailstorms, and increased erratic rainfall have significantly increased the likelihood of adoption. The integrated technology adoption model explains the determinants of adopting multiple CSA innovations simultaneously. Livelihood asset building programs, strong public extension systems via mobile phone, voice messaging, and radio enhance adoption. Policy to identify and scale up a portfolio of farm-level specific CSA innovations is required.

In this study, we used a household level survey to assess choices of varieties and demand for improved cassava varieties. A multivariate probit model was used to examine the determinants of choice decisions of the farmers for different varieties preventing potential endogeneity and measurement error. A Linearized Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) model was used to analyze the demand system for improved cassava varieties. The results of the (LA/AIDS) model indicated farmers were very price sensitive to changes in improved stem prices and incomes. We suggest that intervention program that will improve the purchasing power of the farmers should be targeted towards the smallholder cassava farmers to accelerate adoption of improved cassava varieties.

Abstract Background Agriculture is important for economic growth and development in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. However, agricultural production and productivity remain relatively low, with significant yield gaps attributed to factors such as limited access to and low adoption of appropriate agricultural technologies, and climate-related risks resulting from climate variability and change. This paper explores the drivers of adoption of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) technologies and practices, taking into account the complementarity among agricultural technologies and heterogeneity of the farm households, using data from Lushoto in Tanzania. Methods We use a Multivariate Probit analysis of cross-sectional data collected from 264 smallholder farmers in Lushoto—a climate hotspot in Tanzania—to understand the drivers of household decisions to adopt CSA technologies and practices. The technologies included diversification of multiple stress (drought, floods, pests, diseases)-tolerant crop varieties, use of fertilizers, and application of herbicides and pesticides. The Multivariate Probit model was preferred as it takes into account the inter-relationships of the technologies as well as heterogeneity of the smallholder farmers for more robust estimates. The independent variables used in the analysis included household socio-economic factors such as the relative importance of crop and livestock enterprises, household land size, social capital, access to agricultural credit and weather information, previous experience with fertilizer use and household characteristics (age, education and gender of household head, and household size). Results About 63% of the households diversified their crop enterprises, shifting to improved resilient crops and crop varieties. Another 37% adopted fertilizers, while 38% applied pesticides and herbicides. Conditional on the unobservable heterogeneity effects, the results show that household adoption decisions on diversification of multiple stress-tolerant crops and crop varieties, fertilizer, and pesticides and herbicides are complementary. In addition, the results confirm existence of unobserved heterogeneity effects leading to varying impact of the explanatory variables on adoption decisions among farmers with similar observable characteristics. Conclusions The findings indicate that any effective CSA technology adoption and diffusion strategies and policies should take into account the complementarity of the technologies and heterogeneity of the smallholder farmers. Therefore, inter-related technologies should be promoted as a package or bundled while taking into consideration household and farm-level constraints to adoption.

The study was conducted to assess consumers’ preference and willingness to pay for different pepper varieties in Osun State, Nigeria. The study used the major pepper types – Capsicum chinenses (Rodo), C. annum (Tatase), C. frutescens (Sombo) and C. pubescens (Bawa), being sold in the markets in Osun State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to collect data from 100 respondents. The primary data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study showed that consumers mostly preferred and were willing to pay more for C. chinenses (Rodo) than any other types of pepper. Household size, primary occupation, total household income, availability and meal-making ability of pepper were the factors that influenced consumers’ preference for the different varieties of pepper while the willingness to pay for pepper varieties by consumers was influenced by affordability, availability, taste and thickness. The study recommends that since availability and affordability influenced preference and willingness to pay for pepper varieties, policies should be aimed at increasing farmers’ production as this will ensure that pepper is readily available and affordable for consumers.

Poverty reduction has become a top goal in the socio-economic development strategies of countries and a topic of interest for researchers. A number of prior empirical studies have identified the importance of financial inclusion to poverty reduction. However, most of these studies assess the effect of financial inclusion on income poverty reduction. There are relatively few studies evaluating the impact of financial inclusion, especially in terms of household use of financial products and services, on multidimensional poverty reduction. This study uses a multivariate probit model with a dataset from Vietnam to estimate the effect of financial inclusion in terms of household use of financial products and services and other factors on multidimensional poverty. The results show that financial inclusion reduces multidimensional poverty. Specifically, households owning bank accounts, having savings at banks, using debit cards, credit cards, or investing in stocks or bonds are less likely to fall into multidimensional poverty. Based on the findings, we provide several recommendations for policymakers to increase the level of households’ use of financial products and services.

In the rapidly growing world, where farming land is shrinking due to horizontal urban expansion and development-induced projects, agricultural productivity should grow by 70% to meet food needs. Spatial urban expansion in developing countries, not exceptional to Ethiopia, puts immense pressure by taking peri-urban fertile agricultural land for the purpose of development. This paper examines whether urban expansion increases or decreases the agricultural technology adoption capacity of smallholder peri-urban farmers. Households were clustered into displaced and non-displaced, and data were collected from 341 households, 101 of whom were displaced and 240 households were non-displaced. Descriptive statistics and econometric model were employed to explore the role of urban expansion in technology adoption of smallholder peri-urban farmers. The multivariate probit result shows that urban expansion decreases the tendency of displaced smallholder peri-urban farmers to participate in irrigation and adoption of a generator but urban expansion does not increase or decrease displaced households’ tendency to adopt beehive and practice row sawing. Generally, urban expansion decreases the affinity of smallholder peri-urban farmers to adopt agricultural technologies. Therefore, policymakers, particularly the Bureau of Agriculture should intensively work and train displaced smallholder peri-urban farmers on the benefit of agricultural technologies to improve agricultural productivity and use the remaining plot of farmland sustainably. Besides strong monitoring and follow-up are required to avert the negative ramifications of development-induced displacement.

This study investigates the effects of land tenure and property rights (LTPRs) on smallholder farmers’ adoption of climate-smart practices (CSPs) among cereal farming households in Nigeria. The data were collected from maize and rice farmers in a Nation-wide Farm Household Survey conducted across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Data collected were analysed within the framework of Multivariate Probit to determine the factors that facilitate and/or impede the adoption of CSPs. The results showed that the adoption of CSPs considered in this study – agroforestry, zero/minimum tillage, farmyard manure, crop rotation and residue retention - were generally low. Empirical analysis showed that farmers with transfer right were more likely to adopt farmyard manure, crop rotation and residue retention while the likelihood of adopting agroforestry reduced with having transfer right. The coefficient of de jure secure increased the likelihood of adopting zero/minimum tillage while the coefficient of control right increased the likelihood of adopting agroforestry. Again, we found that the adoption of zero/minimum tillage reduced with control and transfer rights. The study also contributes to the existing literature on adoption by recognizing the interdependence between different climate-smart practices as well as jointly analyse the decision to adopt multiple CSPs. The study therefore, suggests that governments, in whom the responsibility for land use policy reform lies, review the existing framework to ensure a prompt, fair, and efficient land tenure system.

Despite the important roles of Sustainable Agricultural Practices (SAPs) in improving productivity, welfare, and food security of farming households, the adoption rates of SAPs have been perceived to be generally low, especially in developing countries. Using cross-sectional data collected from the 2015 Nigeria General Household Survey, this study examines the factors influencing the adoption of multiple SAPs, while also considering the drivers of the intensity of adoption of these practices. The methods of data analysis are based on the Multivariate probit and the Ordered probit models. The SAPs considered include improved seeds, inorganic fertilizer, mixed-cropping techniques, and organic manure. The empirical results show that farmers’ adoption of different SAPs and their intensity of use depend significantly on factors such as the age of household head, gender, education, household size, access to extension services, and household wealth status. Our findings imply that policymakers and agricultural development agencies should seek to maintain or increase household asset bases, and encourage both formal and informal training programme among farming households to facilitate the adoption of SAPs.

Research background: The threat from climate change remains a major concern especially for developing economies like Ghana. Hence, agricultural practices that are environmentally friendly and improves soil health are very necessary for building resilience. Purpose of the article: The present study investigated the determinants of conservation agricultural practices in northern Ghana as well as the effect of these practices on soil health for sustainable production. Methods: Using cross-sectional data collected by the International food policy research institute from 1284 households, a multivariate probit model was first performed to identify the determinants of conservation agricultural practices while the inverse probability weighted regression adjustment was employed to establish the effect of conservation agricultural practices on soil health. Findings & value added: Results from the multivariate probit model showed that socioeconomic and institutional factors as well as different household-specific factors, influence farmer’s decisions to engage in various conservation agricultural practices. Crop rotation, fallowing, contour ploughing or pit planting and manure application were found to have a positive effect on soil health through improved resilience to soil erosion. The study concludes that conservation agricultural practices will be useful in Ghana’s quest of achieving zero hunger since the conservation agricultural practices ensure that food is produced for the present generations without compromising the soil health for further productions. Hence, the current Ghanaian government’s flagship programme dubbed ‘planting for food and jobs’ should include conservation agriculture as a priority module in its framework so that households could both increase their output while maintaining the quality of the soil.

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an important strategy for supporting farmers against climate change challenges. However, CSA adoption among smallholder farmers particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains low. This article investigates the factors that influence CSA adoption among smallholder potato farmers in Nyandarua County, Kenya. We specifically focus on the role of the farmers’ entrepreneurial orientation (reflected in the farmers’ innovativeness, proactiveness, and risk-taking), a contribution that has received limited research attention. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 350 potato farming households and analyzed using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA) and a multivariate probit regression model. Based on PCA analysis, the study considered six categories of CSA practices; soil nutrient management, crop management, crop protection, seed management, water harvesting, and crop quality improvement. The multivariate probit results show that farmers' entrepreneurial orientation had mixed influence on CSA adoption. While farmers’ innovativeness had a positive influence on crop management and improvement practices uptake, its influence on water harvesting technologies was negative. Similarly, proactive farmers were more likely to adopt seed management practices, whereas risk-takers were more likely to adopt protection and water harvesting technologies. Potato producers' willingness to engage in seed multiplication was linked to use of crop protection, seed management, and water harvesting technologies, indicating a path that could help potato farmers’ access clean seed. Other important factors influencing CSA adoption included access to financing through mobile-based applications, gender, land size, trust in extension officers, household income, and farm characteristics. The study discusses the implications of these findings.

Climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies are innovations meant to reduce the risks in agricultural production among smallholder farmers. Among the factors that influence farmer adoption of agricultural technologies are farmers' risk attitudes and household livelihood diversification. This study, focused on determining how farmers' risk attitudes and household livelihood diversification influenced the adoption of CSA technologies in the Nyando basin. The study utilized primary data from 122 households from two administrative regions of Kisumu and Kericho counties in Kenya. The study employed the multivariate probit (MVP) and ordered probit (OP) models and descriptive statistics in data analysis using Stata 14.0. Results from the study indicated that farmers’ risk attitudes had a significant negative influence in the adoption of terraces, ridges and bunds as well as the intensity of adoption of given CSA technologies. Household livelihood diversification had a significant negative influence in the adoption of stress tolerant livestock but did not have a significant effect on the intensity of adoption of given CSA technologies. The study recommends that relevant stakeholders should introduce an appropriate agricultural index insurance product to Nyando basin farmers to encourage the broader adoption of CSA technologies.

Dried apricot farms face many risks and uncertainties in Malatya, which is not only Turkey's but also the largest apricot production region in the world. Despite one of the major factors affecting farm efficiency, it was insufficient study on risk management in Malatya and even Turkey. The main purpose of the study was to measure the risk averse of dried apricot farms and to analyze of the factors affecting risk management strategies use of the dried apricot farms where an extensive production zone in Malatya. In the study, data collected from randomly selected 71 farms using questionnaires were used. The risk averse (attitude) coefficients of farmers were estimated by the “equally likely certainty equivalent” method. The factors affecting the risk management strategies choise were estimated using Multivariate Probit Model.

Background: The seasonality of most agricultural activities and restricted utilization of inputs in Africa, make it particularly helpless against weather or climate related difficulties across the different phases of the production cycle. Objective: This study focused on climate change adoption strategies by arable crop farmers in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Methodology: A total of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents were used for the study. Data analysis was achieved using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit (MVP) model. Results: The study revealed that the average age of the arable crop farmers was 40 years. An average income of ₦28,000 per month was earned by the arable crop farmers. The result on the various climate change adaptation strategies reveals that income diversification (85.0%) was the most utilized adaptation strategy. The result from the multivariate probit regression analysis revealed that age, farm income and extension visits have a significant impact on choice of climate change adaptation method. Implication: Households with diversified streams of income have greater chances of adopting climate change adaptation strategies because of their ability to afford them. Conclusion: An increase in age, farm income and extension visits have a significant impact on choice of climate change adaptation methods in the study area. It is therefore recommended that farmers in the study area need to expand their source of income in order to form backup savings to invest on adaptation infrastructure.

Vietnam faces several adverse climatic stresses such as increases in temperature, drought, flooding, saltwater intrusion, and sea-level rise. Past research on climate change adaptation in Vietnam has highlighted that climatic stresses and challenges faced by populations vary across the country. In this study, we are interested to know if autonomous responses also vary, depending on which stress individuals are responding to. To answer this question, we use primary-collected data of 1,306 individuals from the Mekong River Delta, Central Vietnam, and the Red River Delta. Adaptation choices of these individuals are analyzed at two levels: the household-level and the agricultural-level. We estimate multivariate probit models by Geweke-Hajivassilou-Keane (GHK) simulated maximum likelihood methods. Our results show that climate change adaptations vary depending on which stresses individuals are responding to. At the household level, droughts and floods have the strongest effect on climate change adaptation. However, adaptations at the agricultural level depend more on the impacts of the stress and less so on the climatic strss itself. Understanding what climatic stresses are already eliciting a response, and what adaptations are being used by individuals, is invaluable for designing successful climate change policies. This understanding can also help policymakers identify where gaps exist in individual climate change adaptations and fill these gaps with a public response.