Adoption Drivers and Its Intensity on Smallholder Goat Farming in Southern Malawi

Abstract

This study identifies drivers of adoption and its intensity on smallholder goat farming in southern Malawi. A Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial model was estimated using survey data collected in Balaka and Nsanje districts in 2014/15 cropping season. The study found that farmers residing in Nsanje have higher probability of adopting goat farming as compared to farmers in Balaka. Interestingly, farmers with no extension contact have higher probability of adopting goat farming than those who have access to agricultural extension. Further, education and age of the household head, access to credit services, total household income and household size was found to positively influence the intensity of adoption. The study suggests that apart from increasing contact between farmers and extension service providers, agricultural extension should include more livestock farming messages. Furthermore, the study suggests that all relevant stakeholders should intensify efforts to educate Malawians as it positively influences intensity of adoption. Lastly, stakeholders should help smallholder farmer’s accessing credit services so that they get the much needed capital to intensify goat farming

Keywords: Intensity, Adoption, Zero Inflated Negative Binomial, Technology