Understanding the dynamics of hybrid seed adoption among smallholder chilli farmers in Indonesia

Abstract

In the realm of agricultural research, considerable attention has been directed toward the adoption of hybrid seeds; however, the evolution of adoption behaviors over time remains an area of limited comprehension. This study contributes to the existing literature by elucidating the determinants that underlies the dynamic of hybrid seed adoption among smallholder chilli farmers in Indonesia. By categorizing adoption into four distinct phases—non-adoption, late-adoption, continual-adoption, and dis-adoption—a nuanced understanding of the phenomenon is sought. Leveraging a two-period panel dataset encompassing chilli farmers, we employ a multinomial logit model to explicate the dynamic adoption behaviors exhibited by these farmers. Our empirical findings bring to light a notable divergence in the variables associated with continual-adoption as opposed to those linked with late-adoption. This distinction underscores the heterogeneous nature of adopters and emphasizes the need for tailored strategies for each category. Specifically, we unearth a positive correlation between membership in a farmer's group and the propensity for continual-adoption, concurrently mitigating the likelihood of non-adoption. The implications drawn from our study underscore the intricate nature of adoption stages, thereby providing valuable insights to inform the design of targeted adoption policies that cater to the distinct strategies required for varying adoption categories.