TY  - CPA
AU  - Kassie,M.
AU  - Shiferaw,B.
AU  - Zikhali,P.
AU  - Debello,M.J.
AU  - De Groote,H.
AU  - Mmbando,F.
ED  - International Conference of Agricultural Economists
TI  - Improved maize technologies and welfare outcomes in smallholder systems: evidence from application of parametric and non-parametric approaches
PY  - 2012///
CY  - Brazil
PB  - International Association of Agricultural Economists
KW  - Crop improvement
KW  - AGROVOC
KW  - Maize
KW  - Food security
KW  - Poverty
KW  - United Republic of Tanzania
N2  - This paper uses recent primary survey data to evaluate the extent to which improved maize varieties adoption impacts food security and poverty in rural Tanzania. Both parametric and non-parametric econometric techniques are used to ensure robustness of the results from the econometric analyses. The parametric estimation models the intensity of adoption of improved maize technology in the first stage and food security and poverty status of the household in the second stage, with residuals from the first stage used as an additional covariate to address the selection problem. We apply the newly developed non-parametric method the generalised propensity score (GPS) methodology that allows for continuous treatment. Both methods tell a consistent story. Results from the parametric analysis indicate that as households expand land area under improved maize technology, their food security status significantly improves while the extent of poverty declines. Consistent with this, estimates of the dose-response functions reveal a significant and positive average effect of the intensity of adoption on food security and a negative and significant effect on poverty. The implication is that a well-targeted promotion of improved agricultural technologies ?specifically improved maize varieties? is central to enhancing food security and reducing poverty in Tanzania
ER  -