Factors Affecting the Adoption of Innovative Technologies by Livestock Farmers in Arid Area of Tunisia

Abstract

Despite the efforts to promote adoption of innovative technologies (IT) by the Government and international development projects, the adoption rate among farmers has always been low in Tunisia. This paper aims to investigate the determinants of farmer’s decisions to adopt IT in the arid area of Tunisia. Economic, socio-demographic and institutional variables were selected as factors. A sample of 200 farmers was considered; only half of them adopted the IT. A binary logistic regression was used for the analysis. Regarding economic and socio-demographic factors, farm education, size of cattle flocks and off-farm income were statistically significant and positive influence on technology adoption while age and farm experience had significant and negative effects on IT adoption decision. To enhance the adoption ofIT, Government should firstly focus on educating young farmers with large cattle flock size and non-farm income. For the institutional factors, member of association, extension services and source of technology knowledge were significant factors and affected positively the adoption decision. In contrast, it was found that labor and credit services do not significantly influence adoption of IT. Based on these results, Government should intensify training programs for farmers and for extension agents with the collaboration of the project manager. Decision makers should consider this research for better targeting farmers and a better adoption and diffusion of IT in Tunisia. This understanding could provide important clues for research and policy makers to devise better strategies for the IT adoption, while helping rural farmers targeting their opportunities for a better income.