New research sheds light on the reluctance of farmers to adopt new technologies

Date:
October 2, 2020
Source:
University of Kent
Summary:
Research sheds new light on a long-standing obstacle to improving
agricultural productivity in developing countries: the reluctance
of small-scale farmers to adopt modern technologies because of
the risks associated with them.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Research from the University of Kent's School of Economics sheds new
light on a long-standing obstacle to improving agricultural productivity
in developing countries: the reluctance of small-scale farmers to adopt
modern technologies because of the risks associated with them.


==========================================================================
The paper, published in Science Direct, examined the relationship between attitudes towards risk among small-scale aquafarmers in Ghana and the
time they take to adopt new technologies that reduce traditional risks, including; poor weather conditions, aquatic predators and poor hygiene.

The researchers conducted a series of psychological experiments with aquafarmers in 30 villages in four regions in southern Ghana to measure
their aversion to risk and willingness to take gambles. They also
recorded the aquafarmers' adoption of three innovative technologies
recently introduced to Ghana: predator-proof floating cages for fish;
a nutrient-rich fish feed; and a fast-growing, disease-resistant breed
of tilapia fish.

Results showed that aversion to traditional production risks accelerated
the adoption of all three technologies. However, adoption of floating
cages was slower due to the significant upfront financial investment
required, making small-scale experimentation with the technology
impractical. The study also found that once aquafarmers in a community
have started using the cages, the aversion by others to take the risk
was further reduced.

Based on their findings, the study's authors advocate providing practical information about new agricultural technologies and information about
positive returns from their adoption with the help and encouragement of regional extension agents to encourage the adoption of new agricultural technologies by small-scale farmers in developing countries.

Dr Adelina Gschwandtner, Senior Lecturer in Economics and Principle Investigator, said: 'These findings may have significant consequences
beyond Africa and onto the global agricultural sector. Addressing
traditional perceptions with this new understanding of the potential to
reduce risk by adopting new ideas, methods, and technologies, may broaden
how business ventures are viewed and conducted in the future. This in
turn may help agricultural ventures in developing nations become secure
and allow them to flourish.'

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Kent. Original written
by Sam Wood. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Christian Crentsil, Adelina Gschwandtner, Zaki Wahhaj. The
effects of
risk and ambiguity aversion on technology adoption: Evidence from
aquaculture in Ghana. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization,
2020; 179: 46 DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2020.07.035 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201002141915.htm

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