Determinants of improved seed adoption and intensity in lentil farming: evidence from Terai region of Nepal

The prevailing dominance of the informal seed system and dramatically low seed replacement rate (SRR) are the potent evidence of poor adoption of improved lentil seed in Nepal. In this study, we used a logit model to identify the determinants of farmers’ decisions regarding the adoption of improved...

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Main Authors: Damodar Gautam, Shiva Chandra Dhakal, Rishi Ram Kattel, Narayan Prasad Khanal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Food & Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2025.2545596
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author Damodar Gautam
Shiva Chandra Dhakal
Rishi Ram Kattel
Narayan Prasad Khanal
author_facet Damodar Gautam
Shiva Chandra Dhakal
Rishi Ram Kattel
Narayan Prasad Khanal
author_sort Damodar Gautam
collection DOAJ
description The prevailing dominance of the informal seed system and dramatically low seed replacement rate (SRR) are the potent evidence of poor adoption of improved lentil seed in Nepal. In this study, we used a logit model to identify the determinants of farmers’ decisions regarding the adoption of improved lentil seed in Nepal. A total of 300 participants, selected using stratified random sampling, were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also conducted. The empirical results showed that owned land (p ≤ .047), number of economically active household members (p ≤ .018), improved seed knowledge (p ≤ .001), training (p ≤ .045), technical assistance (p ≤ .005), demonstration visits (p ≤ .001) and subsidies (p ≤ .035) had a significantly positive effect on the adoption of improved lentil seed, while waterlogging low land (p ≤ .049) and seed cost (p ≤ .032) had a significantly negative effect. The level of recommended technology adoption by improved seed adopters was calculated using the adoption index. The low adoption index (0.38) revealed the underutilization of recommended lentil production technologies by the improved seed adopters. The proportion of land with improved seed and the rate of seed used were satisfactory, but fertilizer and pesticide use were dramatically lower than the recommended level. To facilitate the sustainable adoption of improved seed, the government must place emphasis on holistic and robust research and extension services, technical assistance and demonstration visits, along with the implementation of targeted subsidy programs.
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spelling doaj-art-db8d090e22bc40f181a1e01c90bfd2922025-08-20T03:37:02ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Food & Agriculture2331-19322025-12-0111110.1080/23311932.2025.2545596Determinants of improved seed adoption and intensity in lentil farming: evidence from Terai region of NepalDamodar Gautam0Shiva Chandra Dhakal1Rishi Ram Kattel2Narayan Prasad Khanal3Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, NepalDepartment of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan, NepalDepartment of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan, NepalNepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) Project, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Lalitpur, NepalThe prevailing dominance of the informal seed system and dramatically low seed replacement rate (SRR) are the potent evidence of poor adoption of improved lentil seed in Nepal. In this study, we used a logit model to identify the determinants of farmers’ decisions regarding the adoption of improved lentil seed in Nepal. A total of 300 participants, selected using stratified random sampling, were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were also conducted. The empirical results showed that owned land (p ≤ .047), number of economically active household members (p ≤ .018), improved seed knowledge (p ≤ .001), training (p ≤ .045), technical assistance (p ≤ .005), demonstration visits (p ≤ .001) and subsidies (p ≤ .035) had a significantly positive effect on the adoption of improved lentil seed, while waterlogging low land (p ≤ .049) and seed cost (p ≤ .032) had a significantly negative effect. The level of recommended technology adoption by improved seed adopters was calculated using the adoption index. The low adoption index (0.38) revealed the underutilization of recommended lentil production technologies by the improved seed adopters. The proportion of land with improved seed and the rate of seed used were satisfactory, but fertilizer and pesticide use were dramatically lower than the recommended level. To facilitate the sustainable adoption of improved seed, the government must place emphasis on holistic and robust research and extension services, technical assistance and demonstration visits, along with the implementation of targeted subsidy programs.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2025.2545596Adoptionadoption intensityimproved seedlentillogit modelAgriculture & Environmental Sciences
spellingShingle Damodar Gautam
Shiva Chandra Dhakal
Rishi Ram Kattel
Narayan Prasad Khanal
Determinants of improved seed adoption and intensity in lentil farming: evidence from Terai region of Nepal
Cogent Food & Agriculture
Adoption
adoption intensity
improved seed
lentil
logit model
Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
title Determinants of improved seed adoption and intensity in lentil farming: evidence from Terai region of Nepal
title_full Determinants of improved seed adoption and intensity in lentil farming: evidence from Terai region of Nepal
title_fullStr Determinants of improved seed adoption and intensity in lentil farming: evidence from Terai region of Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Determinants of improved seed adoption and intensity in lentil farming: evidence from Terai region of Nepal
title_short Determinants of improved seed adoption and intensity in lentil farming: evidence from Terai region of Nepal
title_sort determinants of improved seed adoption and intensity in lentil farming evidence from terai region of nepal
topic Adoption
adoption intensity
improved seed
lentil
logit model
Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2025.2545596
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AT rishiramkattel determinantsofimprovedseedadoptionandintensityinlentilfarmingevidencefromterairegionofnepal
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