Lead-farmer extension and smallholder valuation of new agricultural technologies in Tanzania

B-Tier
Journal: Food Policy
Year: 2020
Volume: 97
Issue: C

Authors (3)

Morgan, Stephen N. (not in RePEc) Mason, Nicole M. (not in RePEc) Maredia, Mywish K. (Michigan State University)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Encouraging the widespread adoption and use of new on-farm technologies is an important part of productivity-led strategies to promote agricultural transformation. While many interventions have been designed to promote adoption through extension and education, little is known about how these efforts influence farmer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for new technologies. We use a Becker-DeGroot-Marschak (BDM) mechanism to elicit farmer WTP for two improved seed varieties and a new seed treatment product, Apron Star, under two different lead-farmer extension treatments in Tanzania: (i) a demonstration plot showcasing the technologies within a village; and (ii) a demonstration plot coupled with distribution of trial packs enabling some farmers to test the technologies on their own land. In the BDM, farmers were presented with six products – the two bean varieties: without Apron Star, with Apron Star already applied, and with a sachet of Apron Star for the farmer to treat the seed him/herself. Our results suggest that neither extension treatment significantly affects WTP for these technologies. However, we find that farmers are willing to pay more for seed that is pre-treated with Apron Star than for seed bundled with a sachet of Apron Star for self-treatment.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jfpoli:v:97:y:2020:i:c:s0306919220301597
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25