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Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron‐biofortified beans in Rwanda

Funes, Jose; Sun, Laixiang; Sedano, Fernando; Baiocchi, Giovanni; Benson, Todd

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Authors

Jose Funes

Fernando Sedano

Giovanni Baiocchi

Todd Benson



Abstract

Abstract: This study analyzes smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt beans with higher levels of dietary iron developed through a conventional breeding technique called biofortification. We approach this study by applying spatial econometric techniques to estimate neighborhood influence and to determine the factors driving the adoption of iron‐biofortified beans (IBB). We employ a cross‐sectional, nationally representative survey of bean producing households from 2015 bean growing season B in Rwanda, and present results for growers of both bush and climbing varieties of beans. The results show geographic diffusion of iron bean planting material occurs among neighboring farmers that exhibit interdependent decision‐making patterns, as well as similar characteristics relative to the group. Some policy implications can be drawn from the results. First, a differentiated geographical targeting strategy for bush and climbing bean varieties as a function of farmer and farm characteristics should increase iron bean adoption rates. Second, strengthening partnerships with delivery agents and extensionists should stimulate the adoption of IBB varieties. And finally, technology‐promotion programs that consider progressive farmers and strengthen social interactions and group activities among peer networks should increase the spread of information and diffusion of IBB.

Citation

Funes, J., Sun, L., Sedano, F., Baiocchi, G., & Benson, T. (2022). Social interaction and geographic diffusion of iron‐biofortified beans in Rwanda. Agricultural Economics: the journal of the International Association of Agricultural Economists, 53(4), 503-528. https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12722

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 22, 2022
Online Publication Date Jun 14, 2022
Publication Date Jul 1, 2022
Deposit Date Jun 16, 2022
Publicly Available Date Jun 16, 2022
Print ISSN 0169-5150
Electronic ISSN 1574-0862
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 53
Issue 4
Pages 503-528
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12722
Keywords C12, C31, D01, O14, R23, Q12, Q18, ORIGINAL ARTICLE, ORIGINAL ARTICLES, iron‐biofortified beans, neighborhood effect, Rwanda, social interaction, spatial diffusion, spillovers
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/agec.12722

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