Spatial Spillover Effects of Smallholder Households’ Adoption Behaviour of Soil Management Practices Among Push–Pull Farmers in Rwanda

Michael M. Kidoido, Komi Mensah Agboka, Frank Chidawanyika, Girma Hailu, Yeneneh Belayneh, Daniel Munyao Mutyambai, Rachel Owino, Menale Kassie and Saliou Niassy ()
Additional contact information
Michael M. Kidoido: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, ICIPE, Duduville, Kasarani, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Komi Mensah Agboka: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, ICIPE, Duduville, Kasarani, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Frank Chidawanyika: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, ICIPE, Duduville, Kasarani, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Girma Hailu: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, ICIPE, Duduville, Kasarani, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Yeneneh Belayneh: USAID, BHA, TPQ, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20523, USA
Daniel Munyao Mutyambai: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, ICIPE, Duduville, Kasarani, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Rachel Owino: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, ICIPE, Duduville, Kasarani, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Menale Kassie: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, ICIPE, Duduville, Kasarani, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Saliou Niassy: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, ICIPE, Duduville, Kasarani, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-22

Abstract: Push–pull technology (PPT) integrates maize with the legume fodder Desmodium sp. and the border crop Brachiaria sp., aiming to enhance maize production in Rwanda. Despite its potential, the adoption of complementary soil management practices (SMP), vital for PPT’s success, remains low. This study employs spatial econometric methods to evaluate the determinants of SMP adoption and the interdependencies in decision-making among PPT-practicing farmers. We constructed a spatial weight matrix based on a global Moran’s I index and identified optimal model parameters through principal component analysis. Utilizing a spatial Durbin probit model (SDPM), we assessed the spatial interdependence of SMP adoption decisions among maize farmers. Our findings reveal significant spatial dependence in SMP adoption within a 1.962 km radius, with improved seed usage, household income, yield, farmer group membership and size of land cultivated being key factors positively influencing adoption. We propose a “nonequilibrium promotion strategy” to enhance SMP adoption, emphasizing the establishment of pilot regions to broaden outreach. Additionally, fostering technical training and selecting farmers with adequate resources as demonstration leaders can enhance spatial spillover effects. This research provides insights for developing policies to scale up push–pull technology in Rwanda and across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords: soil management; spatial Durbin probit model; pests and diseases; smallholder farmer; push–pull technology adoption; knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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