Study: Malawian Farmers' Adoption of DT Maize Varieties

The Center for Land Tenure Studies of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences released the results of their study on the potential widespread adoption of drought tolerant (DT) maize varieties in Malawi. Their dataset is based on the adoption and farming practices of 350 Malawian farm households.

The DT maize varieties included in the study were Chitedze4, CAP9001, MH27, MH28, PAN53, SC719, ZM309, ZM523, MH26, PHB30G19, SC403, SC627, ZM421, ZM521, ZM621, and ZM623 developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and other private or public research institutions promoted by CIMMYT and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) under the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa project.

Results of the regression analysis showed that DT maize cultivation significantly increased from 2006 to 2012, with the major driver was the Malawi Farm Input Subsidy Program. Other key factors influencing adoption were the farmers' drought experience and farmer risk aversion. In terms of yield performance, improved maize varieties performed significantly better than local maize during the 2011-2012 droughts. However, it was observed that DT maize did not perform as much as the other improved maize varieties used in Malawi, which is in contradiction to results of the field trials. According to the authors, this could be due to the farmers' inadequate training in planting DT maize varieties. Thus, they recommend massive implementation of agricultural extension activities to help farmers achieve the DT maize yield potentials and, subsequently, improve resilience to drought.

Get the report at Eldis.