New technology adoption in two agricultural systems of the Niamey Region of Niger

Barry Ira Shapiro, Purdue University

Abstract

This research evaluated the potential of improved cultivars (short cycle millet and cowpeas) and fertilizer (phosphorus and nitrogen) to increase farm household incomes in two farming systems. Four levels of factors were considered that can affect the adoption of new technologies; technical/economic factors, alternative investments, behavioral factors and policy factors. Differences in adoption potential between regions were also considered by comparing the potential of the new technologies in the two farming systems studied. Differences in the availability of land and labor, yields due to rainfall, and prices help explain differences in adoption potential between the two sites. The focus of this study is the Niamey Region of Niger. Resource conditions in the Niamey Region have given rise to many types of farming systems. Along the Niger River, the supply of land is inelastic, rainfall is higher and farmers follow variations of a dual rainfed/irrigated system (the River System). In areas away from the river, the supply of land is more elastic, rainfall is lower and extensive rainfed crop production practices and livestock activities predominate (the Dryland System). An expected profit formulation of a Discrete Stochastic Sequential Program (DSSP) was the methodology used to test the role of these factors. The timing of decisions by farmers is critical because of the uncertainty involved in crop and livestock production. This model is consistent with the observed adoptive behavior of farmers. In the River System, technology introduction can follow a step-wise strategy. Improved short cycle cultivars with phosphorus fertilizer are adopted according to model results. However, further research is needed to develop cultivars that will make nitrogen use viable and the production system sustainable. Thus, a major finding of this study is that the technical/economic factors may need to be given priority to facilitate crop technology introduction. Without a profitable technology including nitrogen that can compete with available investment alternatives, the policy and behavioral modifications by themselves will have little impact on adoption according to model results. For land abundant, lower rainfall areas such as the Dryland System, intensifying the cropping system will be more difficult except for the introduction of new cultivars. Under no feasible scenario changing policy conditions and technical parameters was chemical fertilizer introduced. Without fertilizer, even with new cultivars, the new system will not be sustainable. One implication is that in some marginal rainfall, poor soil resource regions, technological change does not have much potential income from crops. In some of these areas it may be more appropriate to encourage out-migration and concentrate on pasture and forestry.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Sanders, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Agricultural economics

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