Factors Determining Adoption of New Maize Varieties in the Hills of Nepal

摘要

Maize is the second most important food crop grown in Nepal. It is cultivated predominantly under rainfed conditions in the hills. Recent studies suggested that one of the major reasons of the nearly- stagnating productivity growth is due to slow adoption of improved high-yielding varieties. The main objective of this paper was to identify factors that determine the probability and extent of adoption of improved maize. The study is based on the interview of randomly selected 316 farmers in Sindhupalchowk and Ramechhap districts in the hills of the Central Development Region. Two econometric models, Probit and Tobit, were used to identify factors that influence farmers' decision-making in the adoption of new technology. The results indicate that age and education of farmers, number of contacts with extension agent and quality of land significantly increase the probability of adoption of new varieties. Tobit results indicate that a literate Tamang farmer living within 5km of motorable road is estimated to adopt new variety in 0.22 ha of land while an illiterate farmer of the same ethnic group living beyond 5km from road is estimated to adopt new variety in 0.09 ha only. The findings suggest that people living in remote areas are least benefited from technology generation and dissemination. Hence, the public sector needs to put extra effort to create awareness and offer opportunities to those disadvantaged groups to improve their livelihood and increase productivity at the national level.