Farmers’ Perceptions and Adoption of Improved Open-Pollinated Maize in Limpopo, South Africa

To overcome the perennial shortages of quality planting seed faced by smallholder and subsistence farmers in developing countries, governments (including the South African Department of Agriculture) embarked on various initiatives, among which were community-based seed production and supply schemes (CBSPS). In this article, we investigate the farmers’ perceptions and knowledge of the improved open-pollinated (OPV) maize released by the CBSPS in the Limpopo province, South Africa, and how these influence its adoption. The study population comprised all CBSPS members who planted OPV maize in the Polokwane and Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipalities in the Capricorn district. To ensure comparative analysis, an equal number of non-scheme member maize farmers in each village of the scheme members was also selected. In the study, we used a cross-sectional survey design, and prepared a semi-structured questionnaire in which the Düvel framework was used to analyse farmers’ perceptions of OPV maize. The data were collected from all 100 selected farmers using personal, face-to-face interviews in 2017, and analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics. The hypothesis tests found that scheme members and non-scheme members alike who planted OPV maize believed that OPV maize had advantages and also no disadvantages compared to the recycled maize they planted previously. A significant positive relationship was found between the respondents’ “awareness–knowledge” of OPV maize and their planting it. These results have important implications for promoting OPV maize among farmers. The study results also indicate that the Düvel framework consistently yields expected results, therefore contributing to extension theory.

Content

Author and article information

Journal

Title: UnisaRxiv

Publisher: UNISA Press

Publication date (Electronic preprint): 10 May 2024

Affiliations

[1 ] Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, South Africa ( https://ror.org/048cwvf49)

[2 ] Bio Life Science Programme, Small Enterprise Development Agency, South Africa;

Author notes

[* ]Email: davidblayafful@ 123456gmail.com .

Author information

DAVID AFFUL https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0973-6017

Article

DOI: 10.25159/UnisaRxiv/000078.v1

SO-VID: 5f6181e5-1e88-4ebd-88fc-2c2cbaeaa09a

License:

This work has been published open access under Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0 , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Conditions, terms of use and publishing policy can be found at www.scienceopen.com .

History

Date received : 10 May 2024

Date accepted : 15 May 2024

Funding

Funded by: funder-id , The funder is unavailable;

References

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Gillespie Jeffrey, Kim Seon‐Ae, Paudel Krishna. Why don't producers adopt best management practices? An analysis of the beef cattle industry. Agricultural Economics. Vol. 36(1):89–102. 2007. Wiley. [Cross Ref]
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Moldovan Sarit, Goldenberg Jacob, Chattopadhyay Amitava. The different roles of product originality and usefulness in generating word-of-mouth. International Journal of Research in Marketing. Vol. 28(2):109–119. 2011. Elsevier BV. [Cross Ref]
Moore Gary C., Benbasat Izak. Development of an Instrument to Measure the Perceptions of Adopting an Information Technology Innovation. Information Systems Research. Vol. 2(3):192–222. 1991. Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS). [Cross Ref]
Rogers Brian. Where Have All the Illusions Gone? Perception. Vol. 48(3):193–196. 2019. SAGE Publications. [Cross Ref]
Sarwar Muhammad Rehan, Saqib Anum, Riaz Tayyab, Aziz Haleema, Arafat Mosab, Nouman Hamna. Attitude, perception, willingness, motivation and barriers to practice-based research: A cross-sectional survey of hospital pharmacists in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. PLOS ONE. Vol. 13(9)2018. Public Library of Science (PLoS). [Cross Ref]
Tiwari T.P., Ortiz-Ferrara G., Urrea C., Katuwal R.B., Koirala K.B., Prasad R.C., Gurung D.B., Sharma D., Hamal B., Bhandari B., Thapa M.. Rapid gains in yield and adoption of new maize varieties for complex hillside environments through farmer participation. II. Scaling-up the adoption through community-based seed production (CBSP). Field Crops Research. Vol. 111(1-2):144–151. 2009. Elsevier BV. [Cross Ref]
Tornatzky Louis G., Klein Katherine J.. Innovation characteristics and innovation adoption-implementation: A meta-analysis of findings. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Vol. EM-29(1):28–45. 1982. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). [Cross Ref]
Tosakana N. S. P., Van Tassell L. W., Wulfhorst J. D., Boll J., Mahler R., Brooks E. S., Kane S.. Determinants of the adoption of conservation practices by farmers in the Northwest Wheat and Range Region. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Vol. 65(6):404–412. 2010. Soil and Water Conservation Society. [Cross Ref]
Vecchio Yari, De Rosa Marcello, Pauselli Gregorio, Masi Margherita, Adinolfi Felice. The leading role of perception: the FACOPA model to comprehend innovation adoption. Agricultural and Food Economics. Vol. 10(1)2022. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. [Cross Ref]

Comments

Comment on this article

[1] Aarons Gregory A., Hurlburt Michael, Horwitz Sarah McCue. Advancing a Conceptual Model of Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in Public Service Sectors. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research. Vol. 38(1):4–23. 2011. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. [Cross Ref]

[2] Ogyiri Adu Emmanuel, Amenorpe Godwin, Joseph Taah Kingsley, Agu Asare Paul, Parkes Elizabeth, Labuschagne Maryke, Kulakow Paul. Farmers and Consumers Perceptions and Preferences for Yellow Flesh Cassava (YFC) in the Central Region of Ghana. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research. Vol. 11(5):382–388. 2023. Science and Education Publishing Co., Ltd. [Cross Ref]

[3] Arts Joep W.C., Frambach Ruud T., Bijmolt Tammo H.A.. Generalizations on consumer innovation adoption: A meta-analysis on drivers of intention and behavior. International Journal of Research in Marketing. Vol. 28(2):134–144. 2011. Elsevier BV. [Cross Ref]

[4] Frank Darius‐Aurel, Chrysochou Polymeros, Mitkidis Panagiotis. The paradox of technology: Negativity bias in consumer adoption of innovative technologies. Psychology & Marketing. Vol. 40(3):554–566. 2023. Wiley. [Cross Ref]

[5] Gillespie Jeffrey, Kim Seon‐Ae, Paudel Krishna. Why don't producers adopt best management practices? An analysis of the beef cattle industry. Agricultural Economics. Vol. 36(1):89–102. 2007. Wiley. [Cross Ref]

[6] GREENHALGH TRISHA, ROBERT GLENN, MACFARLANE FRASER, BATE PAUL, KYRIAKIDOU OLIVIA. Diffusion of Innovations in Service Organizations: Systematic Review and Recommendations. The Milbank Quarterly. Vol. 82(4):581–629. 2004. Wiley. [Cross Ref]

[7] Knowler Duncan, Bradshaw Ben. Farmers’ adoption of conservation agriculture: A review and synthesis of recent research. Food Policy. Vol. 32(1):25–48. 2007. Elsevier BV. [Cross Ref]

[8] Krampf Robert F., Heinlein Albert C.. DEVELOPING MARKETING STRATEGIES AND TACTICS IN HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH TARGET MARKET RESEARCH. Decision Sciences. Vol. 12(2):175–192. 1981. Wiley. [Cross Ref]

[9] Meijer Seline S., Catacutan Delia, Ajayi Oluyede C., Sileshi Gudeta W., Nieuwenhuis Maarten. The role of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions in the uptake of agricultural and agroforestry innovations among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. Vol. 13(1):40–54. 2015. Informa UK Limited. [Cross Ref]

[10] Moldovan Sarit, Goldenberg Jacob, Chattopadhyay Amitava. The different roles of product originality and usefulness in generating word-of-mouth. International Journal of Research in Marketing. Vol. 28(2):109–119. 2011. Elsevier BV. [Cross Ref]

[11] Moore Gary C., Benbasat Izak. Development of an Instrument to Measure the Perceptions of Adopting an Information Technology Innovation. Information Systems Research. Vol. 2(3):192–222. 1991. Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS). [Cross Ref]

[12] Rogers Brian. Where Have All the Illusions Gone? Perception. Vol. 48(3):193–196. 2019. SAGE Publications. [Cross Ref]

[13] Sarwar Muhammad Rehan, Saqib Anum, Riaz Tayyab, Aziz Haleema, Arafat Mosab, Nouman Hamna. Attitude, perception, willingness, motivation and barriers to practice-based research: A cross-sectional survey of hospital pharmacists in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. PLOS ONE. Vol. 13(9)2018. Public Library of Science (PLoS). [Cross Ref]

[14] Tiwari T.P., Ortiz-Ferrara G., Urrea C., Katuwal R.B., Koirala K.B., Prasad R.C., Gurung D.B., Sharma D., Hamal B., Bhandari B., Thapa M.. Rapid gains in yield and adoption of new maize varieties for complex hillside environments through farmer participation. II. Scaling-up the adoption through community-based seed production (CBSP). Field Crops Research. Vol. 111(1-2):144–151. 2009. Elsevier BV. [Cross Ref]

[15] Tornatzky Louis G., Klein Katherine J.. Innovation characteristics and innovation adoption-implementation: A meta-analysis of findings. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. Vol. EM-29(1):28–45. 1982. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). [Cross Ref]

[16] Tosakana N. S. P., Van Tassell L. W., Wulfhorst J. D., Boll J., Mahler R., Brooks E. S., Kane S.. Determinants of the adoption of conservation practices by farmers in the Northwest Wheat and Range Region. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Vol. 65(6):404–412. 2010. Soil and Water Conservation Society. [Cross Ref]

[17] Vecchio Yari, De Rosa Marcello, Pauselli Gregorio, Masi Margherita, Adinolfi Felice. The leading role of perception: the FACOPA model to comprehend innovation adoption. Agricultural and Food Economics. Vol. 10(1)2022. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. [Cross Ref]