The adoption of hybrid sorghum at the farm and regional levels in the Gezira Irrigated Scheme of Sudan
Abstract
This research evaluated the farm, and regional level adoption of Hageen Dura I (HD-I), a sorghum hybrid, in the Gezira Irrigated Scheme of the Sudan. After initial difficulties due to extreme grain price swings, its diffusion has started to accelerate. In recent years (1990/91-1991/92) the public producers of seeds were unable to respond to the rapidly increasing demand for seeds. The impact of shortage of seeds was found to have critical implications in the identification of farm level characteristics that influence the decision to adopt. Some personal and farm characteristics identified by the Tobit and Probit models, estimated based on observed adoption, were no longer significant when adjustments were made for the effect of seed shortage. The results of the study suggest if seed supply were elastic the decision to adopt would be explained by, extension visits, the taste of HD-I grain, and farm size only. Based on these results it is hypothesized that when technology is rationed, some of the variables identified as significant under supply restriction may be measuring influence and hence access to seeds. Thus, when there is excess demand for a technology, the determination of farmer characteristics that influence the likelihood of adoption is not useful for policy purposes. The appropriate policy recommendation in this case is to improve the functioning of the input market such that supply is elastic. The aggregate diffusion aspect of the study showed that there is significant variation in the extent of diffusion attained in the regions of Gezira. Adoption was faster in regions where markets were larger.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Sanders, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Agricultural economics
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