Drought tolerant (DT) maize varieties have received massive support in sub‐Saharan Africa because of their potential to protect smallholder farmers against drought‐related maize yield losses. Using four waves of household farm panel data from six districts in Malawi, we examine the impact heterogeneity of this technology on maize productivity using a continuous treatment approach. We find strong evidence of positive correlation between maize yield and adoption of DT maize varieties. On average, an increase by one hectare in the area allocated to DT varieties increases maize yield by 547 Kg/ha representing a 44% increase from the average maize yield of 1,254 Kg/ha for our sample. Our findings give evidence that DT maize technology has potential to protect smallholder farmers against drought‐related production losses. Policies that promote increased allocation of maize area to DT maize hold potential to enhance food security. Smallholder farmers especially in drought‐prone areas should be encouraged to allocate at least one‐third of the maize plot to DT varieties while breeders continue with the efforts of breeding a DT variety that is not only drought tolerant but also adapted to all weather conditions. More importantly, the government should ensure provision of timely ex ante weather information to guide farmers on decision‐making with respect to maize varietal choices.

中文翻译：

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马拉维降雨胁迫下耐旱玉米品种的生产力影响：连续处理方法

耐旱（DT）玉米品种在撒哈拉以南非洲得到了广泛的支持，因为它们具有保护小农户免受干旱造成的玉米单产损失的潜力。使用来自马拉维六个地区的四次家庭农场面板数据，我们使用连续处理方法研究了该技术对玉米生产力的异质性。我们发现有力的证据表明玉米产量与DT玉米品种的采用之间呈正相关。平均而言，分配给DT品种的面积增加一公顷，可使玉米产量增加547 Kg / ha，这比我们样本中的平均玉米产量1,254 Kg / ha增加44％。我们的发现表明，DT玉米技术具有保护小农户免受干旱相关生产损失的潜力。促进增加对转基因玉米分配玉米面积的政策具有增强粮食安全的潜力。应鼓励小农，特别是在干旱多发地区的小农，将至少三分之一的玉米地分配给DT品种，而育种者继续努力育种不仅耐旱而且适应所有天气条件的DT品种。更重要的是，政府应确保提供及时的事前天气信息，以指导农民做出有关玉米品种选择的决策。应鼓励小农，特别是在干旱多发地区的小农，将至少三分之一的玉米地分配给DT品种，而育种者继续努力育种不仅耐旱而且适应所有天气条件的DT品种。更重要的是，政府应确保提供及时的事前天气信息，以指导农民做出有关玉米品种选择的决策。应鼓励小农，特别是在干旱多发地区的小农，将至少三分之一的玉米地分配给DT品种，而育种者继续努力育种不仅耐旱而且适应所有天气条件的DT品种。更重要的是，政府应确保提供及时的事前天气信息，以指导农民做出有关玉米品种选择的决策。