Climate-Smart Innovations Adoption and Impact on Farm Economic Performance and Welfare In Benin: Case of Drought Tolerant Maize.

Abstract

The principal objective of this research is to investigate in the context of climate change, the impact of the Drought Tolerant Maize (DTM) innovations on economic performance and welfare in Be ninnin. In this study, we used mixed methods (qualitative and quantitive) approach. Multinomial logit regression and a quasi-experimental design (Endogenous Switching Regression - ESR) were respectively used to analyse the dynamic of diffussion and to measure the impact of the adoption of DTM varietal packages using cross-sectional data from 518 households were surveyed from 48 villages in Benin. Empirically the results on adoption and diffusion of DTM varieties show evidence that adopter’s categories are different from one variable to another one but the farmer’s perception of climate change particularly drought pockets is mainly influencing the adopters. Moreover, the results of the causal effects of adoption of DTM varieties on farm economics performances and welfare (incidence on poverty, food security and nutritional status), showed that DTM varieties adoption increased farm economic performances but reduce poverty and food insecurity while for impacts on malnutrition, the results are mixed (either positive or negative) depending on the indicators concerned. Overall, these results are suggesting that adoption of DTM varieties plays a significant role in farming economic performances and welfare of maize farming households in Benin.