Factors influencing farmers' adoption of modern rice technologies and good management practices in the Philippines

Abstract

We employ binary logit and Poisson estimators to model socioeconomic, institutional and environmental factors influencing the adoption of certified seeds, in particular, and integrated crop management practices, in general, in rice production in the Philippines. Estimates of factors influencing adoption are reasonably consistent between the two models but some differences are noted, particularly with respect to soil deficiencies and risk aversion. Results were found to be consistent between models in terms of the positive impacts on the adoption of certified seed technology and integrated crop management practices of farmers' education, machinery ownership, irrigation water supply, capacity-enhancement activities and profit-oriented behavior. Conversely, soil and nutrient deficiencies are impediments to their adoption. Extension-related variables have the biggest impact on technology adoption. Results of this study provide information that is important in domestic policy making. Avenues for policy implementation to be analyzed for their contribution to net social benefits include the delivery of more capacity-enhancement activities, mechanization options and affordable credit to farmers as well as the provision of irrigation facilities and improved water technologies. Moreover, the government should consider short-term strategies that offset environmental adversities such as drought and submergence. Lastly, government interventions to improve the educational status of farming households, overcome the effects of small farm size and encourage more profit-oriented behavior by farmers are necessary to enhance technology adoption in rice production in the long run.