@article{Smale:259076,
      recid = {259076},
      author = {Smale, Melinda and Assima, Amidou and Kergna, Alpha and  Thériault, Veronique and Weltzien, Eva},
      title = {FARM FAMILY EFFECTS OF IMPROVED SORGHUM VARIETIES  IN  MALI: A MULTIVALUED TREATMENT APPROACH},
      address = {2016-10-10},
      number = {1879-2017-1695},
      series = {FSP Research Paper 25},
      pages = {32},
      year = {2016},
      abstract = {Uptake of improved sorghum varieties in Mali has been  limited, despite the economic importance of the crop and  long-term investments in sorghum improvement. One reason  why is that attaining yield advantages that are substantial  enough for farmers to discern in their own fields is  difficult in a harsh, heterogeneous growing environment.  Release of the first sorghum hybrids developed in Mali,  which were developed primarily from the local Guinea race  using a participatory approach, has the potential to change  this situation. Here, we explore the adoption of improved  sorghum seed with an ordered logit model, differentiating  between improved varieties and hybrids. We then apply a  multivalued treatment effects model to measure impacts on  farm families. We utilize primary data collected from 628  farm family enterprises in the Sudanian Savanna region of  Mali. Reflecting the fact that farm family enterprises both  consume and sell their sorghum harvests, we consider  effects on consumption outcomes as well as yield. We find  that plot manager characteristics, in addition to household  wealth and labor supply, are strongly and positively  related to the improvement status of sorghum seed planted.  The impact of hybrid use on yields is large and  significant, positively affecting household dietary  diversity and contributing to a greater share of the  harvest sold. However, use of hybrids, as well as improved  varieties, is associated with a shift toward consumption of  other cereals. Findings support on-farm experimental  evidence concerning yield advantages, and suggest that the  use of well-adapted sorghum hybrids may contribute to crop  commercialization by smallholders.},
      url = {http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/259076},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.259076},
}