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F. Vidogbéna, A. Adégbidi, R. Tossou, F. Assogba-Komlan, T. Martin, M. Ngouajio, S. Simon, L. Parrot, S. T. Garnett and K. K. Zander (kerstin.zander@cdu.edu.au)
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Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2016, vol. 18, issue 6, pages 1749-1770
Abstract: Abstract If agro-ecological systems are to realize their potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional agricultural systems, innovation diffusion needs to be enhanced. We conducted surveys among 214 small-scale vegetable farmers in Benin, a food-deficit country in West Africa, on how they perceived the different attributes of eco-friendly nets (EFNs). The nets act as physical barriers against insects in vegetable production and so reduce pesticide use. Understanding farmer perceptions about new technologies helps reveal farmers’ propensity to adopt them. Intensity of attitude was measured on a Likert scale, and an ordered probit model was used to determine which characteristics of nets were most influential. Eighteen percent of farmers thought that EFNs would benefit them, but almost half preferred not to adopt this technology at all. The main reason for rejecting the nets was the perceived high labor requirement, particularly on larger plots of land. This largely negative perception was strongest among farmers with large areas cultivated with vegetables, farmers who had little or no experience in a trial, and those living far from extension services. We recommend expanded trials that engage a higher proportion of farmers, strengthening of external support for those wanting to use the nets and further technological development to reduce labor costs, improved access to finance and increased education about the negative impacts of insecticides abuse.
Keywords: Agro-ecology; Cabbage; IPM; Innovation; Insect barrier; Perceptions; Southern Benin; Technology adoption; West Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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http://econpapers.repec.org/article/sprendesu/v_3a18_3ay_3a2016_3ai_3a6_3ad_3a10.1007_5fs10668-015-9717-z.htm
F. Vidogbéna, A. Adégbidi, R. Tossou, F. Assogba-Komlan, T. Martin, M. Ngouajio, S. Simon, L. Parrot, S. T. Garnett and K. K. Zander (kerstin.zander@cdu.edu.au)
Additional contact information
Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2016, vol. 18, issue 6, pages 1749-1770
Abstract: Abstract If agro-ecological systems are to realize their potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional agricultural systems, innovation diffusion needs to be enhanced. We conducted surveys among 214 small-scale vegetable farmers in Benin, a food-deficit country in West Africa, on how they perceived the different attributes of eco-friendly nets (EFNs). The nets act as physical barriers against insects in vegetable production and so reduce pesticide use. Understanding farmer perceptions about new technologies helps reveal farmers’ propensity to adopt them. Intensity of attitude was measured on a Likert scale, and an ordered probit model was used to determine which characteristics of nets were most influential. Eighteen percent of farmers thought that EFNs would benefit them, but almost half preferred not to adopt this technology at all. The main reason for rejecting the nets was the perceived high labor requirement, particularly on larger plots of land. This largely negative perception was strongest among farmers with large areas cultivated with vegetables, farmers who had little or no experience in a trial, and those living far from extension services. We recommend expanded trials that engage a higher proportion of farmers, strengthening of external support for those wanting to use the nets and further technological development to reduce labor costs, improved access to finance and increased education about the negative impacts of insecticides abuse.
Keywords: Agro-ecology; Cabbage; IPM; Innovation; Insect barrier; Perceptions; Southern Benin; Technology adoption; West Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations Track citations by RSS feed
Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-015-9717-z Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.
Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text
Persistent link: http://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:endesu:v:18:y:2016:i:6:d:10.1007_s10668-015-9717-z
Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/economics/journal/10668
Access Statistics for this article
Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development is currently edited by Luc Hens
More articles in Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development from Springer
Series data maintained by Sonal Shukla (sonal.shukla@springer.com).
For further details log on website :
http://econpapers.repec.org/article/sprendesu/v_3a18_3ay_3a2016_3ai_3a6_3ad_3a10.1007_5fs10668-015-9717-z.htm
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