ABSTRACT Many studies detail constraints deemed responsible for the limited adoption of new technologies among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. By contrast, here we study the conditions that led to the remarkably fast spread of improved chickpea varieties in Ethiopia. Within just seven years, the adoption rate rose from 30 to 80% of the farmers. A combination of factors explains the rapid uptake. Their attraction lay in superior returns and disease resistance. Chickpea was already an important crop for rural households in the studied districts, for both cash income and consumption. Good market access and an easy accessibility of extension services advanced the adoption process. Thus, an attractive technology suitable for rural households in a conducive environment enabled adoption. Our findings prompt us to stress the importance of tailoring agricultural innovations to the realities and demands of rural households, and the need to design and deploy interventions on the basis of ex-ante knowledge on factors potentially determining their success or failure.

中文翻译：

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成功的秘诀？从埃塞俄比亚快速采用改良鹰嘴豆品种中学习

摘要 许多研究详细说明了导致撒哈拉以南非洲小农户有限采用新技术的制约因素。相比之下，我们在这里研究了导致改良鹰嘴豆品种在埃塞俄比亚快速传播的条件。在短短七年内，农民的采用率从 30% 上升到 80%。多种因素的组合解释了快速吸收。他们的吸引力在于优越的回报和抗病能力。鹰嘴豆已经是研究地区农村家庭的重要作物，无论是现金收入还是消费。良好的市场准入和推广服务的便捷可及性推动了采用过程。因此，在有利的环境中适合农村家庭的有吸引力的技术能够被采用。