减量增效技术的选择性采纳与集成推广策略

[目的]基于农户“选择性采纳”特征开展减量增效技术的系统集成与打包推广,是降低推广成本、提高推广效率的重要途径。[方法]文章运用2017—2018年浙江省638户稻农调研数据,基于列联分析、Order Probit与Multivariate Probit模型,从采纳强度和采纳结构两个方面,分析了农户化肥减量增效技术选择性采纳特征及其影响因素。[结果]农户选择性采纳现象十分普遍,且技术属性与资源禀赋共同塑造了选择性采纳特征：（1）采纳强度较低,减肥技术平均采纳强度为1.74项。（2）虽然总体上农户更加偏好资金密集型技术,但采纳结构差异明显,多项减肥技术采纳决策中同时存在替代与互补关系。（3）禀赋约束是决定农户选择性采纳的重要因素,其中劳动力数量、家庭收入等经济禀赋决定了劳动力密集型与资本密集型技术的取舍进而影响了采纳强度与采纳结构,而参与技术培训、加入合作社等社会禀赋则有助于缓解经济禀赋约束。[结论]减量增效技术的集成推广应基于农户资源禀赋异质性,制定更为灵活化、差异化的推广方案。     

Climate-resilient practices and welfare impacts on rice-cultivating households in Vietnam: Does joint adoption of multiple practices matter?

Farmers have a long history of adjusting their production practices in response to changing production conditions. Using a multinomial endogenous treatment effects model that accounts for observable and unobservable heterogeneity, this study investigates the adoption and welfare impacts of climate-resilient practices on Vietnamese rice-cultivating households. We found evidence of clear and positive welfare impacts from the adoption of canal irrigation (CI) and the joint adoption of agricultural conservation practices (CP) and CI as the main adaptation strategies to increase water stress. More importantly, although farmers with access to CI systems obtained the highest returns, the joint adoption of multiple practices still had substantially high adoption rates and significantly positive effects on rice yield, rice revenue and household income. Our findings indicate that farms' and farmers' characteristics, market information and climatic conditions are generally the main factors driving rice farmers' decisions to adopt climate-resilient technologies, both individually and jointly. Follow-up policy interventions should focus on improving CI systems and promoting the joint adoption of climate-resilient technologies to improve rice farmers' well-being and enhance their resilience capacity to cope with incoming climatic uncertainty.     

Technology characteristics,farmers' perceptions and adoption decisions: A Tobit model application in Sierra Leone

The objective of this paper is to test the hypothesis that farmer perceptions of technology-specific characteristics significantly condition technology adoption decisions. Earlier adoption studies have not considered this in the analysis of the determinants of adoption decisions. The omission of farmers' evaluation of technology-specific attributes may bias the results of factors conditioning adoption choices. A Tobit model was used to test this hypothesis using a stratified random sample of 124 mangrove swamp rice farmers in Sierra Leone. The issue investigated is the adoption of improved mangrove swamp rice varieties. The estimated model results show that farmer perceptions of the technology-specific attributes of the varieties are the major factors determining adoption and use intensities. Indicators of adoption determinants traditionally used in adoption-diffusion studies were found not to be important in driving adoption decisions. Therefore, there is need for adoption studies to consider farmers' perceptions of technology-specific attributes in the assessment of technology adoption decisions.     

农户生计资本对不同偏好技术采纳行为的影响基于可持续生计框架的分析

目的 农户行为理论中的行为动因决定了农户在生产过程中的技术采用行为,农户的技术采用行为受到农业资源稀缺性的约束,由于农户自身生计资本的异质性,农户生计方式的选择和技术偏好都有所差异,导致农户在生产技术采用行为上也有差异。方法 文章基于农户分化背景下,从农户可持续生计的角度出发,将农户的荔枝龙眼主产区广东、广西区域的农户荔枝龙眼技术采用行为作为研究对象,选择二元Logit模型从多维的农户生计资本的视角研究农户的技术采用行为差异以及影响因素。结果 农户生计资本中的人力资本、社会资本、金融资本、自然资本和物质资本五个方面影响着农户生产技术采用与效率。结论 健全和完善保障机制,提升农户的人力资本;拓展多元化的社会网络,提升农户的社会资本;健全农村信贷制度,提升农户的金融资本;加快土地提质增效,提升农户的自然资本;加强果园设施建设和完善补贴措施,提升农户的物质资本。     

How crop insurance influences agrochemical input use: Evidence from cotton farmers in China

Crop insurance is critical in risk management in global agricultural production (e.g. by helping stabilise farmers' incomes in the long term and reducing risk-bearing costs). In this paper, using field survey data on cotton farmers in Xinjiang, China, we examine the influence of crop insurance on farmers' behaviours regarding agrochemical inputs and aim to investigate the synergy between crop insurance and reductions in fertiliser and pesticide usage. We find evidence that crop insurance significantly negatively affects farmers' use of fertilisers and pesticides, as well as significantly positively affects their adoption of green agricultural technologies (GAT) that can replace or complement traditional fertilisers and pesticides. Moreover, our results reveal that compared with small-scale farmers, crop insurance has a stronger effect on large-scale farmers' use of agrochemicals. Finally, when the insured amount is higher or the relative deductible is lower, farmers are more likely to reduce fertiliser and pesticide usage and adopt GAT. Overall, this paper scientifically identifies crop insurance can improve farmers' agrochemical input behaviour, by reducing farmers' use of traditional agrochemical inputs and increasing their adoption of GAT, which is of great significance for ensuring the safety of the agricultural ecological environment.     

Heterogeneity of commercialization gains in the rural economy

Farmers in low‐income rural economies often fail to switch to cash crops from staple production despite the positive income effects of commercialization expected by policy makers. The literature suggests that market failures prevent households from cash crop adoption but remains inconclusive regarding farmers' motives and the effects of commercialization. This article contributes to the debate by offering an original approach to the analysis of commercialization outcomes and farmers' decisions. It consists of applying a model with essential heterogeneity and a semiparametric estimation technique to analyzing harvest value returns to cash cropping. Using Malawian data, we show considerable heterogeneity in harvest value returns to cash cropping both within and between groups of farmers choosing different crop portfolios. Importantly, the results imply rational choices based on comparative advantage considerations of farming households: farmers self‐select into the activity where they expect higher gains and adopt cash crops when facing weaker market barriers.     

Environmental impacts of technological change in Bangladesh agriculture: farmers' perceptions, determinants, and effects on resource allocation decisions

This article measures the impact of modern technology adoption in raising farmers' environmental awareness and the impact of farmers' environmental awareness on resource use by utilizing survey data from 21 villages in three agro‐ecological regions of Bangladesh. The econometric analysis is based on the application of the Tobit model explaining farmers' environmental awareness in the first stage and a profit function examining environmental awareness and resource use relationships in the second stage. Results reveal that the “level” and “duration” of involvement with modern technology raises farmers' environmental awareness, and that farmers' environmental awareness reduces resource use including chemicals. Farmers, who are aware of the adverse environmental impacts of modern agricultural technology, use lower amounts of all inputs in order to avoid further environmental damage. Therefore, efforts to raise farmers' environmental awareness are expected to enhance intangible benefits accruing from a relatively less chemical‐intensive environment.     

The effect of information sources on technology adoption and modification decisions

This article focuses on adoption and modification decisions on improved maize storage technologies in southern Benin. Modification implies changing a technology to adapt to farmers' circumstances. A sample selection framework is used to account for selectivity bias as some farmers were not aware of the new technologies. Using this framework, the study investigates the effect of alternative information sources on adoption and modification decisions. Farmers are either informed by extension agents or by other farmers. The empirical results show that there are differences in adoption and modification decisions between these two groups.     

The influence of farm input subsidies on the adoption of natural resource management technologies

Farm input subsidies are often criticised on economic and ecological grounds. The promotion of natural resource management (NRM) technologies is widely seen as more sustainable to increase agricultural productivity and food security. Relatively little is known about how input subsidies affect farmers’ decisions to adopt NRM technologies. There are concerns of incompatibility, because NRM technologies are one strategy to reduce the use of external inputs in intensive production systems. However, in smallholder systems of Africa, where the average use of external inputs is low, there may possibly be interesting complementarities. Here, we analyse the situation of Malawi's Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP). Using panel data from smallholder farm households, we develop a multivariate probit model and examine how FISP participation affects farmers’ decisions to adopt various NRM technologies, such as intercropping of maize with legumes, use of organic manure, water conservation practices and vegetative strips. As expected, FISP increases the use of inorganic fertilizer and improved maize seeds. Yet, we also observe a positive association between FISP and the adoption of certain NRM technologies. For other NRM technologies, we find no significant effect. We conclude that input subsidies and the promotion of NRM technologies can be compatible strategies.     

Adoption of new tobacco varieties in Greece: Impacts of empirical findings on policy design

Greece is a major international tobacco producer. Flue-cured tobacco varieties constituted the major alternative crop to Greek farmers growing certain oriental tobacco varieties. Diffusion of flue-cured tobacco was rapid due to its high yields and the depressed market for certain oriental tobacco varieties. Currently, the common organisation of the tobacco market is undergoing substantial changes, and the farmers' response will be a vital factor of success. A portfolio selection model reveals that the major factors influencing the adoption decision of tobacco growers are the size of the farm measured in annual work units, the farm's proximity to urban centres, the farm's diversification and the farmer's age. The number of contacts with institutions is, surprisingly, inversely related to adoption. Future tobacco policies impinging on factors influencing decisions to adopt new varieties or production practices may be more cost-effective.     

政府培训、技术认知与农户生态农业技术采纳行为——以稻虾共养技术为例

[目的]农户作为生态农业技术最直接的采纳者,其对生态农业技术有着独立的选择权,农户是否采纳生态农业技术直接影响到该技术的推广效率。稻虾共养技术实现了水稻种植和小龙虾养殖相协调,该技术符合生态农业技术的要求。因此,文章以稻虾共养技术为例,通过分析江苏省和湖北省稻虾共养技术推广情况,以期提高农户对稻虾共养技术的采纳行为,并重点从政府培训、农户技术认知、农户个体特征、家庭经营特征和社会网络等五方面研究其对农户采纳稻虾共养技术的影响。[方法]运用二元Logistic模型和Bootstrap方法,基于江苏省和湖北省共612份农户的微观调研数据,实证分析了政府培训、技术认知对农户稻虾共养技术采纳行为的影响及其内在作用机制。[结果](1)政府培训次数和政府培训有效性对农户稻虾共养技术采纳行为有显著的正向影响,政府培训及时性对农户稻虾共养技术采纳行为的影响效果不显著;(2)其内在作用机制主要体现在,政府培训有效性可以提高农户技术认知水平,降低其技术应用风险,最终促使农户产生技术采纳行为;(3)户主是否村干部、是否加入合作社等对农户采纳稻虾共养技术有显著的正向影响,而户主年龄和耕地块数对其技术采纳行为有显著的负向影响。[结论]政府培训能够提高农户对生态农业技术的采纳行为,并且政府通过技术培训,可以提高农户对生态农业技术的认知,进而对农户技术采纳行为产生显著的正向影响。     

农资市场规范性感知对农户测土配方施肥技术采纳的影响

目的 农资市场经营的不规范极易引起农户对技术的认知偏差。为此探究农资市场规范性感知、技术认知和农户测土配方施肥技术采纳行为间的关系,为明晰农户技术采纳行为机制提供借鉴。方法 文章通过二元Logit模型和中介效应模型,利用鄂、赣、浙3省790份水稻种植户的微观调研数据进行实证分析。结果 （1）农资市场规范性感知能促进农户测土配方施肥技术采纳,农户的农资市场规范性感知每提高一个单位,测土配方施肥技术采纳率将增加8.6%。（2）技术易用性认知对农户测土配方施肥技术采纳行为产生了正向影响,而技术有用性认知对农户测土配方肥技术采纳行为的影响则并不显著。（3）农户技术认知在农资市场规范性感知和测土配方施肥技术采纳行为之间发挥中介作用,农户的农资市场规范性感知不仅直接影响测土配方施肥技术采纳,还间接通过提升技术易用性认知,进一步促进农户测土配方施肥技术采纳。结论 对此,应加强测土配方肥市场监管,减少因市场经营不规范而引致的农户技术认知偏差,同时提高农户的技术易用性和有用性认知,促进测土配方施肥技术的推广应用。     

Risk,learning, and technology adoption

This article explores how decision makers learn and use information, with an application to the adoption of biotechnology in agriculture. The empirical analysis relies on experimental and survey data measuring risk preferences, learning processes, and the adoption of genetically modified (GM) seeds among U.S. grain farmers. While controlling for risk aversion, we link individual learning rules with the cognitive abilities of each decision maker and their actual GM adoption decisions. We find evidence that very few individuals are Bayesian learners, and that the population of farmers is quite heterogeneous in terms of learning rules. This suggests that Bayesian learning (as commonly assumed in the analysis of agricultural technology adoption) is not an appropriate characterization. In addition, we do not find a strong relationship between observed learning styles and the timing of GM seed adoption. To the extent that learning is a key part of the process of technology adoption, this suggests the presence of much unobserved heterogeneity in learning among farmers.     

收入质量对农户秸秆还田技术自觉采纳行为的影响——基于有调节的中介效应分析

[目的]农户采纳秸秆还田技术的自觉行为是加强农业生态环境建设以及提高农业可持续发展能力的关键步骤之一,文章以农户的政策认知作为中介变量,信息获取能力为调节变量,探究收入质量对农户自觉采纳秸秆还田技术的作用路径。[方法]基于湖北省654份农户调研数据,运用熵值法和Bootstrap有调节的中介检验方法探讨收入质量对农户秸秆还田技术自觉采纳行为的影响机理。[结果]（1）收入质量对农户秸秆还田技术自觉采纳行为有显著的正向影响,相比于收入质量较低的农户,拥有高水平收入质量的农户更加自觉地采纳秸秆还田技术;（2）在收入质量对农户秸秆还田技术自觉采纳行为的影响过程中,政策认知发挥着正向中介作用,信息获取能力正向调节收入质量通过政策认知影响农户自觉采纳秸秆还田技术的间接效应。[结论]政府应该多措并举,促进农户收入水平高质量增长;强化政策宣传教育,提升农户生态环保认知;扩宽农户信息获取渠道,提高信息整合能力,从而进一步加快实现农民富和农村美的协调统一。     

基于分布式认知理论的农户保护性耕作技术采纳行为及其影响因素研究

研究目的：基于分布式认知理论，揭示影响农户保护性耕作技术采纳行为的因素及其规律，为制定促进和推广保护性耕作技术的政策提供参考依据。研究方法：从“个人力、地域力、文化力”三个层次构建影响农户保护性耕作技术采纳决策行为理论分析框架，利用辽宁省典型地区农户调查数据构建Heckman两阶段选择模型，定量分析各因素在农户是否采纳保护性耕作技术和采纳程度两个阶段中的影响机制。研究结果：（1）较多农户已采纳保护性耕作技术，但在采纳程度上差异明显；（2）农户的家庭资源禀赋条件即务农人数、耕地资源、收入来源在一定程度上制约了保护性耕作技术采纳行为，而农户的从众心理、信息获取渠道、政策满意度能够在物质与精神“双重”补偿，使其获得“安全感”，克服风险规避心理，从而促使技术采纳行为；（3）与第一阶段不同，农户保护性耕作技术采纳程度受“个人力”影响效应减弱，而受到“地域力”和“文化力”影响更加显著。研究结论：政府应从制定最优技术组合、加快推进农村教育、加强配套设施建设和完善政策扶持机制等方面采取措施，促进和推广农户采纳保护性耕作技术。     

基于MOA理论的农民技术采纳行为研究——以水稻化肥减施技术为例

[目的]随着化学肥料在全球范围的大量使用,所引起的农业面源污染问题不仅对整个生态系统造成的破坏难以估量,还直接影响了农民的切身利益。化肥减施增效技术是目前协调农业生产与环境保护的重要途径,但先进技术与生产应用之间存在不同程度上的脱节现象,这就需要将技术进一步物化,开展对技术“载体”的研究。[方法]农业经营主体是肥料施用最直接的载体,农户施肥行为的规范程度直接关系肥料利用的效率及对环境的污染程度,文章以采用化肥减施技术的水稻种植农户为研究对象、从技术增效角度入手、运用MOA理论构建分析框架,借助结构方程模型和mplus7.0软件、对角加权矩阵伴均值-方差校正卡方检验（WLSMV）方法对样本农户技术采纳行为的决策过程进行实证分析。[结果]（1）采纳机会、采纳动机、抗风险能力都对农户采纳技术的行为规范在1%的显著性水平上具有正向影响;（2）技术认知对其行为规范的路径系数为负,假设未通过验证;（3）行为规范对行为效益的路径系数高达0.97,行为效益对采纳意愿的系数为0.9。[结论]影响农民行为的主客观因素中采纳动机是最显著的,行为执行的规范程度是决定其行为效益最直接、最重要的因素,行为效益又是...     

Adoption and welfare impacts of multiple agricultural technologies: evidence from eastern Zambia

Using plot level panel data and multinomial endogenous switching regression, this article analyzes the adoption and welfare impacts of multiple agricultural technologies in eastern Zambia. We adapt a multinomial endogenous switching/treatment effect regression framework to correct for selection bias and endogeneity originating from both observed and unobserved heterogeneity. Results indicate that joint adoption of multiple agricultural technologies had greater impacts on crop yields, household incomes, and poverty than the adoption of individual components of the technology package. Our findings suggest that efforts aimed at raising household incomes and reducing poverty should focus on promoting the adoption of multiple agricultural technologies through provision of improved support services such as extension and input supply.     

Are farmers ‘efficient but poor’? The impact of crop choices on technical efficiency and poverty in Nigeria

We test the ‘efficient-but-poor’ hypothesis by estimating the determinants of smallholders' choice over cash or food crops and whether their crop choice affects technical efficiency and poverty using the national household panel data in Nigeria. We employ the stochastic frontier analyses correcting for sample selection about farmers' crop choice. Our results indicate that smallholders are generally efficient in their resource allocations. A treatment effects model is employed to estimate farmers' crop choice in the first stage and the impact of their choices on technical efficiency and poverty outcomes in the second stage. The results show that farmers' access to free inputs, non-farm income and the use of seeds from the previous growing season are important determinants of crop choice. The adoption of cash crops by food-crop producing households will not generally reduce poverty, although it will improve technical efficiency marginally. However, if cash crops are commercialised, poverty tends to decline.     

Tradeoffs and complementarities in the adoption of improved seeds,fertilizer, and natural resource management technologies in Kenya

There is widespread consensus that agricultural technology has an important role to play for poverty reduction and sustainable development. There is no consensus, however, about the types of technologies that are best suited for smallholder farmers in Africa. While some consider natural resource management (NRM) technologies as most appropriate, others propagate input intensification with a stronger role of the private sector. In the public debate, these two strategies are often perceived as incompatible. Environmental non‐governmental organizations in particular consider low‐external input strategies as the only sustainable form of agriculture, a view that has considerable influence on policymakers and the international donor community. Most existing research studies on smallholder innovation focus on the adoption of individual technologies, so that comparisons between different types of technologies in the same context are not easily possible. We use representative data from maize‐producing households in Kenya and a multivariate probit model to analyze the adoption of different types of technologies simultaneously. Results indicate that NRM technologies and strategies that build on external inputs are not incompatible. Interesting complementarities exist, which are not yet sufficiently exploited because many organizations promote either one type of technology or the other, but rarely a combination of both.