Adoption of CA technologies among Followers of Lead Farmers: How Strong is the Influence from Lead Farmers?

Monica Fisher (), Stein Holden () and Samson P. Katengeza ()
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Monica Fisher: Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Postal: Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, University of Idaho
Samson P. Katengeza: Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Postal: Centre for Land Tenure Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway

No 7/17, CLTS Working Papers from Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Centre for Land Tenure Studies

Abstract: This study investigates how the Farmer-to-Farmer-Extension (F2FE) system with lead farmers and follower farmers influences adoption of Conservation Agriculture (CA) technologies in Malawi. Using data from 180 lead farmers and their 455 followers in central and southern Malawi, we assess the level of influence lead farmers have on their followers’ familiarity with and adoption of CA. The main findings are that (a) lead farmers have significant influence on CA familiarity and adoption among followersthrough their motivation, familiarity, and own adoption and (b) F2FE is a complement rather than a substitute for other agricultural extension activities. Policy implications are discussed.

Keywords: Africa; conservation agriculture (CA); farmer-to-farmer extension (F2FE); Malawi; technology adoption; lead farmers; followers of lead farmers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35 pages
Date: 2017-04-05, Revised 2019-10-21
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-ino
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hhs:nlsclt:2017_007

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