The Adoption of Agricultural Inputs by Smallholder Farmers: The Case of an Improved Groundnut Seed and Chemical Fertilizer in the Senegalese Groundnut Basin

This study provides empirical evidence of factors that influence the adoption of an improved groundnut variety (La Fleur 11), and chemical fertilizer in the Senegalese Groundnut Basin. Pooled cross-sectional time-series farm level data collected in the Basin are used to estimate univariate and bivariate probit models. Results show that the decision to plant La Fleur 11 and to use chemical fertilizer on groundnuts is independent from each other. Adoption of La Fleur 11 was positively associated with ownership of draft power, but negatively related to farmer’s experience and location. Fertilizer use was positively affected by farm size, the number of plots and location, and negatively affected by access to off-farm income and ownership of draft power. Results suggest a need to tailor the diffusion of productivity enhancing inputs to area specific conditions and to design technology adoption strategies within a broader policy environment.