From participation to practice: understanding adoption dynamics of sustainable intensification in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ansah, I.G.K.; Azzarri, Carlo; Kotu, B.H.; Manda, J.

From participation to practice: understanding adoption dynamics of sustainable intensification in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Descripción

Low agricultural productivity, poverty, and food insecurity remain persistent challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, exacerbated by high poverty rates and rising malnutrition. While sustainable intensification (SI) practices offer promising solutions for enhancing both productivity and environmental sustainability in smallholder agriculture, their adoption decisions vary significantly across contexts. This study uses panel data from an agricultural research for development (AR4D) program to examine four adoption choices -initial use, consistent adoption, dis-adoption, nonadoption- of four SI technology categories -improved varieties, fertilizers, soil and water conservation, and production management practices- in Ghana, Malawi, Mali, and Tanzania. Econometric results show significant country-level variations in adoption patterns. Program participation increases consistent adoption probabilities by 4-6 percentage points for improved varieties, 2-6 percentage points for inorganic fertilizer, 4-8 percentage points for organic fertilizer, 3-9 percentage points for soil and water conservation, and 7 percentage points for production management practices. Country fixed effects estimates also reveal marked country-level differences in adoption decisions. For instance, Mali shows higher initial use rates for improved varieties (37 percentage points) than Ghana, while households in Malawi report stronger consistent adoption patterns (61 percentage points) than in Ghana. These findings suggest that while development programs can effectively promote technology adoption among participants, sustainable increase in uptake requires understanding and addressing country-specific characteristics that influence adoption decisions. These results also indicate that extending support beyond typical project timeframes may ease long-term behavioral change.