Complementarity of inorganic fertilizers and improved maize varieties and farmer efficiency in maize production in Kenya

Submitted by Jane Nyawira Maina on
EfD Authors:

This study contributes to the literature and policy on the impact of partial and package adoption of inorganic fertilizers and improved maize varieties on yields among smallholder households in Kenya. We use a blend of the quasi-experimental difference-in-differences approach and propensity score matching to control for both time-variant and time-invariant unobservable household heterogeneity. Our findings show that inorganic fertilizers and improved maize varieties significantly improve yields when adopted as a package rather than as individual elements.

Agriculture

Adoption of improved amaranth varieties and good agricultural practices in East Africa

Submitted by Jane Nyawira Maina on
EfD Authors:

This study quantifies the adoption of improved amaranth varieties in Kenya and Tanzania, and the extent to which these result from international vegetable breeding research conducted by the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) and partners. The study used expert elicitation and a questionnaire survey among vegetable seed producers. Nine expert panels were conducted involving 123 local experts. The results show that improved amaranth varieties were planted on 51% of the planted area in Kenya and 70% in Tanzania.

Agriculture

Can economic incentives enhance adoption and use of a household energy technology? Evidence from a pilot study in Cambodia

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

While much work has examined approaches to increase uptake of a variety of household environmental, health and energy technologies, researchers and policymakers alike have struggled to ensure long-term use. Drawing on a pilot-scale experiment conducted in rural Cambodia, this study evaluates whether economic incentives enhance continued use of—and fuel savings from—improved cookstoves (ICS).

Energy

Why Do Environmental Taxes Work Better in Developed Countries?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Abstract: We compare of  the  performance  of  emission  taxes  between  Colombia  and  Sweden in an experimental  setting  where  subjects are regulated  through  environmental  taxes  and  had  to decide on emission levels, compliance behavior, and adoption of an environmentally friendly technology.  Our  design  allows  us  to  analyze  the  role of variations  in  the  stringency  of  the policy  enforcement&nbsp

Experiments, Policy Design

State-Dependent Enforcement to Foster the Adoption of New Technologies

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Abstract: Harrington (J Public Econ 37: 29-53, 1988) shows that a suitable strategy for regulators to make enforcement more efficient is to target surveillance resources according to past compliance records. Such scheme generates enforcement leverage as non-compliance triggers greater future scrutiny increasing the expected costs of non-compliance beyond the avoidance of immediate fines.

Policy Design

Are there systematic gender differences in the adoption of sustainable agricultural intensification practices? Evidence from Kenya

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

This paper uses sex-disaggregated survey data at the plot level to test whether there are systematic gender differences in the adoption of multiple sustainable intensification practices (SIPs) in Kenya.

Agriculture

Understanding the adoption of a portfolio of sustainable intensification practices in eastern and southern Africa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

This paper explores smallholder farmers’ adoption decisions of multiple sustainable intensification practices (SIPs) in eastern and southern Africa. The authors develop a multivariate probit model using plot-level data gathered from maize–legume farming systems in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania.

Agriculture