Uptake of improved technologies in the semi-arid tropics of West Africa: why is agricultural transformation lagging behind?

Ndjeunga, J and Bantilan, M C S (2005) Uptake of improved technologies in the semi-arid tropics of West Africa: why is agricultural transformation lagging behind? electronic Journal of Agricultural and Development Economics, 2 (1). pp. 85-102. ISSN 1812-7029

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Abstract

During the last 3 decades, donors and governments have invested in the development and dissemination of new technologies in the semiarid tropics of West Africa. Though a wide range of improved technologies has been developed, adoption remains low without a significant impact on crop productivity, rural income and poverty. Agricultural transformation that occurred in East Asia has not yet occurred in the semiarid tropics of West Africa. This paper uses data from a regional survey of rural households (n=983) in 3 countries in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger) conducted in 2000-01, to identify the determinants of uptake of improved technologies. Limited productivity gain is found to be a major constraint to the uptake of technologies. In addition, poorly functioning institutions, lack of information or poor exposure of farmers to agricultural innovations, and poor functioning or missing markets have also hindered the uptake of many new technologies

Item Type: Article
Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: institutions, technology, markets, road infrastructure, information, agricultural productivity
Subjects: Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
Depositing User: Ms K Syamalamba
Date Deposited: 25 Oct 2011 11:11
Last Modified: 14 Sep 2013 12:20
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/3185
Official URL: http://www.fao.org/docrep/Article/ejade/ae695e/ae6...
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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