Perceptions, Impacts and Rewards of Row Planting of Teff

23 Pages Posted: 25 Nov 2014

See all articles by Joachim Vandercasteelen

Joachim Vandercasteelen

KU Leuven - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance (LICOS)

Mekdim Dereje Regassa

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Bart Minten

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) - CGIAR Consortium

Alemayehu Seyoum Taffesse

International Fool Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) - CGIAR

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

This study analyzes the perceptions, impacts, and rewards of farmers who adopted row planting for the production of teff as a result of being exposed to a technology promotion campaign for row planting of teff in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Our three main findings are as follows. First, despite a positive attitude towards row planting (and reduced seed rates in general) and a belief in the (large) yield increasing potential of row planting, exposed farmers only put a relatively small part of their plots aside for row planting in the next planting season. This indicates concerns with the additional labor requirement and possibly the need for more knowledge and experience with the new technology.

Second, by implementing row planting, farmers experienced an increase in teff yield in the first year of implementation, but there was also a substantial increase in labor input requirements. A cost-benefit analysis shows that the increase in teff yield outweighs the cost of the extra labor in the first year of adoption when yields increase by 8 percent or more.

Third, suitable mechanization for row planting would change the cost-benefit picture significantly and is shown to be an investment with possible high returns.

Keywords: Ethiopia, teff yield, labor productivity, row planting, technology adoption, cost benefit

Suggested Citation

Vandercasteelen, Joachim and Regassa, Mekdim Dereje and Minten, Bart and Taffesse, Alemayehu Seyoum, Perceptions, Impacts and Rewards of Row Planting of Teff (2014). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2530422 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2530422

Joachim Vandercasteelen (Contact Author)

KU Leuven - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance (LICOS) ( email )

Waaistraat 6 - box 3511
Leuven, 3000
Belgium

Mekdim Dereje Regassa

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

Bart Minten

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) - CGIAR Consortium ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

Alemayehu Seyoum Taffesse

International Fool Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) - CGIAR ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

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