Induced innovation and productivity-enhancing, resource-conserving technologies in Central America : The supply of soil conservation practices and small-scale farmers’ adoption in Guatemala and El Salvador

摘要

Aim of the study is to investigate the adoption behavior of small-scale farmers in Central America with respect to soil conservation technologies that combine soil protection with productivity enhancing aspects. In two case studies, carried out in the Polochic Valley in Guatemala and the county of Nueva Concepción, El Salvador, farmers were surveyed with regard to soil erosion problems on their farm, the use of soil conservation practices and a number of household characteristics. Particular attention was given to two so-called Productivity-Enhancing, Resource-Conserving (PERC) Technologies, which are legume cover crop systems with Mucuna (Mucuna spec.) in Guatemala and crop residue management systems in El Salvador. In El Salvador local extension organizations working in the area were interviewed in addition to study how soil conservation practices were selected and supplied to farmers. The ‘Induced Innovation Theory’, developed by Hayami and Ruttan, serves as the theoretical base for understanding the direction of technical change and small-scale farmers’ adoption behavior with respect to conservation practices in Central America. The conceptual framework of the study focuses on the differences between commercial and environmental innovations regarding their impact on productivity and profitability for adopting farmers as well as on the specific constraints faced by small-scale farmers when implementing conservation techniques. Results of the case studies, based on the use of a Logit and a Structural Equation Model with latent Variables, suggest that technology developers and suppliers have to be aware of the fundamental differences between commercial and environmental innovations and how they influence farmers’ adoption behavior. While the adoption of many soil conservation practices in Central America is relatively low, PERC technologies are particularly attractive to small-scale farmers as they combine short-term profitability gains with long-term conservation aspects. Therefore this kind of technologies should be given high priority in the technology development and adaptation process. In addition, the process of selecting and supplying conservation practices to farmers needs to be improved in order to better match farmers’ demand for this kind of practices.