Labor, Liquidity, Learning, Conformity and Smallholder Technology Adoption: The Case of Sri in Madagascar

Cornell University Dept. of Applied Economics & Management Working Paper

39 Pages Posted: 9 Oct 2002

See all articles by Christine M. Moser

Christine M. Moser

Cornell University - Department of Economics and Management

Christopher B. Barrett

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management

Date Written: March 2002

Abstract

This paper explores the roles of seasonal labor and liquidity constraints, learning, and social conformity factors in explaining the adoption of a high-yielding, low-external input rice production method in Madagascar, called the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). We present a simple, multi-period model of technology adoption, and then use a dynamic sample selection model to analyze the decisions to adopt, expand and disadopt this method. We find that seasonal liquidity constraints discourage adoption by poorer farmers despite the minimal cash outlays required, while household labor constraints limit the extent of adoption conditional on initial experimentation. Learning effects - both from one's own experience and from exposure to others with experience with the technology - exert significant influence over whether to try the method, the proportion of area planted in it, and whether to continue with it. Finally, we find strong evidence that social conformity considerations affect farmers' discrete decision over whether or not to experiment with the new technology.

Suggested Citation

Moser, Christine M. and Barrett, Christopher B., Labor, Liquidity, Learning, Conformity and Smallholder Technology Adoption: The Case of Sri in Madagascar (March 2002). Cornell University Dept. of Applied Economics & Management Working Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=328662 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.328662

Christine M. Moser

Cornell University - Department of Economics and Management ( email )

206 Warren Hall Campus
Ithaca, NY 14853-7601
United States
607-272-0496 (Phone)

Christopher B. Barrett (Contact Author)

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management ( email )

315 Warren Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-7801
United States
607-255-4489 (Phone)
607-255-9984 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://aem.cornell.edu/faculty_sites/cbb2/

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