Determinants of farmers’ adoption of commercial horticulture farming in Assam, India: an analysis using the double hurdle model

Drivers of sustainable agricultural practices among onion farmers in Nigeria: Evidence from a multivariate probit model

Background: Agriculture remains central to Nigeria’s economy; however, despite its importance as a major vegetable crop, onion productivity in the country continues to lag behind global benchmarks. Aim: This study analyzes the determinants and interdependence of the adoption of multiple sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) by smallholder onion farmers in the Wamakko Local Government Area. Methods: A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 162 onion farmers. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires administered via face-to-face interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an adoption index, and a multivariate probit (MVP) model. A multivariate probit (MVP) model was employed to account for the possibility that farmers simultaneously adopt multiple sustainable agricultural practices and that these decisions are interdependent. Results: The results show that onion farmers are predominantly within their economically active age group, indicating a strong potential for improved agricultural practices to be adopted. The adoption pattern further reveals that sustainable agricultural practices are implemented jointly rather than independently, suggesting that practices are complementary. The multivariate probit estimates indicate that the adoption determinants vary across practices. Age negatively influences the adoption of Organic Farming (OF) but positively affects reduced tillage. Household size is positively associated with the adoption of Integrated Weed Management (IWM), while education significantly increases the likelihood of adopting IWM. Farming experience positively influences Crop Rotation (CR) but negatively affects Reduced Tillage (RT). In addition, farm size shows a negative relationship with IWM, and total onion output is negatively associated with organic farming. These findings suggest that both human capital and resource endowment play an important role in influencing farmers’ adoption decisions, although their effects differ across practices. The model’s joint significance confirms the relevance of the explanatory variables, while the multivariate framework captures the interdependence of adoption decisions. However, these relationships should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. Conclusion: The study concludes that farmer characteristics and the interrelated nature of SAPs strongly shape adoption patterns. It recommends strengthening extension services, improving access to inputs and credit, enhancing farmer education, and promoting youth participation to increase SAP adoption and narrow the onion production productivity gap.

Determinants of Farmers’ Willingness to Grow Potato on a Commercial Scale in Rupandehi District, Nepal

Despite being an important food and cash crop in Nepal, commercialization of potato is limited. This study was conducted to identify the determinants of farmers’ willingness to grow potatoes on a commercial scale, as well as the encouraging and limiting factors, in Rupandehi district, Nepal. Employing a purposive random sampling, 120 farm households were selected from seven municipalities. Primary data were collected in 2025 through household surveys using a pretested semi-structured interview schedule, while Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were conducted with selected participants. Descriptive statistics and a probit model were used for data analysis. The results revealed that farming experience, access to labor, landholding size and access to subsidy were key determinants that positively affected farmers’ willingness to commercialize potato cultivation, while age had a negative effect. Farmers reported better market access, availability of improved seeds, higher selling prices and financial support as major motivating factors for commercialization. Similarly, farmers reported risks of crop failure, lack of capital, small landholdings and unstable prices as major barriers. Thus, the study highlights the need for targeted policy actions such as providing timely access to quality inputs, expanding financial support, stabilizing market prices and promoting collective approaches to address landholding issues to enhance farmers’ involvement in commercial potato production.  

Economic Drivers of Improved Indigenous Chicken Technology Adoption among Smallholder Farmers in Kenya: Evidence from Moiben Sub-County

Indigenous chicken (IC) production is an important livelihood activity for smallholder farmers in Kenya, contributing to food security, nutrition, and household income. Despite rising demand for improved indigenous chicken (IIC) products, adoption remains low, averaging 24% nationally and 14% in Moiben Sub-County. This study examined the economic factors influencing both the adoption and adoption intensity of IIC technology among smallholder farmers in Moiben Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County. Guided by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the Theory of the Firm, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 156 farmers. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and a double-hurdle econometric model. The results showed that age and access to government or non-governmental organisation (NGO) programmes significantly increased the likelihood of adoption, whereas farming experience, access to market information, market outlets, and value addition reduced it. Adoption intensity was positively influenced by veterinary and extension services but negatively affected by distance to markets, market outlets, and participation in government or NGO programmes. These findings indicate that the determinants of initial adoption differ from those shaping post-adoption intensity. Strengthening market linkages, veterinary and extension services, farmer organisations, and post-adoption support programmes is recommended to enhance commercialisation, productivity, and the sustainable uptake of IIC technology in Kenya.

Environmental factors and extension services influencing maize production among smallholder farmers: a case study of Bungoma-North Sub-County, Kenya

Maize production is a critical aspect of agriculture, especially in developing countries where it contributes significantly to food security and rural development. This study investigated the environmental determinants and extension service factors impacting maize yields among smallholder farmers in Bungoma-North Sub County, Bungoma County, Kenya. The study examined the role of environmental factors such as climate variability, temperature changes, and rainfall patterns, as well as the influence of agricultural extension services in facilitating the adoption of modern farming techniques to enhance food security. The study employed a survey research design with a target population of 10,548 smallholder maize farming households. A sample of 318 respondents was selected using stratified and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires, interview schedules, and secondary data were used as research instruments. Pilot testing was conducted in the neighboring Mukuyuni location, and test-retest reliability was established. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) through descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings revealed that environmental factors accounted for 51.2% (R² = .512, p < .05) of maize production variance, with erratic weather patterns being the most significant challenge. Extension services significantly influenced production, explaining 52.2% (R² = .522, p < .05) of the variation. Over 88% of farmers strongly agreed that rainfall variability had increased, and 86.5% affirmed that environmental factors had influenced annual yield levels. While over half of respondents reported receiving extension visits, 73% faced significant challenges in accessing extension services. The study concludes that both environmental adaptation strategies and strengthened extension service delivery are critical for improving maize production among smallholder farmers. The findings provide baseline information that can be used by researchers, agricultural officers, and government authorities to encourage farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices and enhance extension service accessibility for improved food security.

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of Agro-Ecological Practices in Kersa and Mana Districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

In order to achieve sustainable development, Ethiopian smallholder farmers are progressively implementing agro-ecological practices (AEPs); however, adoption remains uneven and restricted. To evaluate current AEP usage, identify its determinants, and analyze related constraints, this study was carried out in the Kersa and Mana districts of the Jimma Zone, using primary data from 200 households selected through multi-stage sampling, along with key informant interviews and focus group discussions, analyzed through descriptive statistics, a Multivariate Probit (MVP) model, and Kendall's coefficient of concordance. Descriptive results revealed adoption probabilities of 65% for agroforestry, 81% for crop rotation, 52% for mulching, 74% for intercropping, and 73% for composting, while the MVP model showed that education, age, livestock ownership, land area, input accessibility, and extension services positively influenced adoption, whereas sex, market accessibility, farming experience, and membership in farmer groups had a negative effect. Kendall's coefficient of concordance further identified high input costs as the most significant barrier to adoption, followed by other constraints. Based on these findings, enhancing farmer training programs, improving access to land and livestock resources, and reducing input costs through subsidies or financial aid emerge as key strategies through which governments can promote the adoption of agro-ecological practices and address the limitations identified.

Factors Influencing Farmers’ Willingness to Participate in Agritourism in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa