Impact Of Agricultural Market Reforms On Smallholder Farmers In ...
Impact Of Agricultural Market Reforms On Smallholder Farmers In ... Impact Of Agricultural Market Reforms On Smallholder Farmers In ...
headed household were more likely to get assistance on input use and crop marketing than maleheaded households (see Table 169). Main source of information on different topics In addition to questions about extension services, respondents were asked to identify their main source of information on various agricultural topics. Seed When asked about their sources of information on seeds and different varieties, 40 percent cited friends and family and just 25 percent cited the extension service. It should be recalled, however, that these friends and family may have been originally informed by an extension agent. Cooperatives and GVs are more important in Atacora, Borgou, and Zou, but only in Borgou are they the most frequently cited source of information on seed. Traders are a negligible source of information on seed except in Mono, where they are cited by 30 percent of the households. This may be related to the high proportion of farmers growing vegetables in Mono (see Table 4.1.170). Female-headed households rely on friends and family for information on seeds to a much greater extent than male-headed households. This is probably linked to the fact that female-headed households have little contact with extension agents (see Table 4.1.171). Fertilizer and pest control When asked about sources of information on fertilizer use, the extension services and GVs are mentioned by 61 percent of the households. Again, GVs are the most important source of information in Atacora, Borgou, and Zou, while the extension service is the main source in Atlantique and Ouémé. Traders are a significant source of information on fertilizer only in Mono (see Table 4.1.172). Once again, female-headed households rely more on friends and family and less on the extension service than do male-headed households. Regarding sources of information on pests and weed control, the responses were similar to those concerning fertilizer (see Table 4.1.173). Crop production methods When asked about sources of information on crop production methods, the most common response was, somewhat surprisingly, friends and family. Thirty-eight percent of the households cited friends and family as the main source of information, compared to 29 percent mentioning the extension service and 16 percent GVs. As above, GVs are only important in the main cotton growing departments: Atacora, Borgou, and Zou (see Table 4.1.174). 101
Agricultural markets Friends and family were also the main source of information on crop prices and markets. In fact, friends and family were cited by almost half the households (48 percent). Traders are cited by 36 percent of the households and the extension services by just 5 percent. In some countries, radio reports are an important source of information on markets and prices, but only 4 percent of the Bénin farmers cite the radio as the most important source of marketing information (see Table 4.1.175). Policy Finally, information about agricultural policies comes from a variety of sources, primarily the extension service, friends and family, and GVs. In Atacora, Borgou, and Zou, the GVs are cited most often, whereas in the other departments the extension service and friends and family are cited more often. Ten percent of the households report getting information on government policies from the radio (see Table 4.1.176 ). 4.1.11 Perceived changes in well-being Perceived changes in well-being In order to summarize the overall trend in rural living conditions, the IFPRI-LARES Small Farmer Survey asked respondents if their household was in better or worse economic condition compared to 1992. The results represent a clear vote of approval of economic changes over the past eight years: slightly more than half the households (52 percent) reported improved economic conditions and less than 28 percent reported poorer conditions. The remainder saw no change or had no opinion. The most positive responses were from Atacora and Borgou, where over twothirds reported improvements and less than 15 percent said that their lives had gotten worse. The responses were generally positive, though to a lesser degree, in Mono, Ouémé, and Zou. Atlantique was the only department to produce a negative assessment, with 45 percent complaining of falling standard of living and 34 percent reporting improvements (see Table 4.1.177). Male-headed household report improved economic conditions, but female-headed households were more likely to say conditions had deteriorated (see Table 4.1.178). In the regression analysis presented below, we show that after controlling for other factors (particularly location of residence), the gender of the head of household is not a statistically significant factor in the perceived changes in well-being. In particular, Atlantique has a high proportion of female-headed households. 102
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<strong>Agricultural</strong> markets Friends and family were also the main source of information on<br />
crop prices and markets. <strong>In</strong> fact, friends and family were cited by almost half the households (48<br />
percent). Traders are cited by 36 percent of the households and the extension services by just 5<br />
percent. <strong>In</strong> some countries, radio reports are an important source of information on markets and<br />
prices, but only 4 percent of the Bénin farmers cite the radio as the most important source of<br />
marketing information (see Table 4.1.175).<br />
Policy Finally, information about agricultural policies comes from a variety of sources,<br />
primarily the extension service, friends and family, and GVs. <strong>In</strong> Atacora, Borgou, and Zou, the<br />
GVs are cited most often, whereas in the other departments the extension service and friends and<br />
family are cited more often. Ten percent of the households report getting information on<br />
government policies from the radio (see Table 4.1.176 ).<br />
4.1.11 Perceived changes in well-being<br />
Perceived changes in well-being<br />
<strong>In</strong> order to summarize the overall trend in rural living conditions, the IFPRI-LARES Small<br />
Farmer Survey asked respondents if their household was in better or worse economic condition<br />
compared to 1992. The results represent a clear vote of approval of economic changes over the past<br />
eight years: slightly more than half the households (52 percent) reported improved economic<br />
conditions and less than 28 percent reported poorer conditions. The remainder saw no change or<br />
had no opinion. The most positive responses were from Atacora and Borgou, where over twothirds<br />
reported improvements and less than 15 percent said that their lives had gotten worse. The<br />
responses were generally positive, though to a lesser degree, in Mono, Ouémé, and Zou. Atlantique<br />
was the only department to produce a negative assessment, with 45 percent complaining of falling<br />
standard of living and 34 percent reporting improvements (see Table 4.1.177).<br />
Male-headed household report improved economic conditions, but female-headed households were<br />
more likely to say conditions had deteriorated (see Table 4.1.178). <strong>In</strong> the regression analysis<br />
presented below, we show that after controlling for other factors (particularly location of<br />
residence), the gender of the head of household is not a statistically significant factor in the<br />
perceived changes in well-being. <strong>In</strong> particular, Atlantique has a high proportion of female-headed<br />
households.<br />
102
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