This study examines the role of high-yielding maize varieties as one of the key drivers of smallholder farmers’ market participation in a highly subsistence rural economy. The analysis is based on the End-of-Program Survey data collected by the Seeds of Life program in 2016 covering 700 households in rural Timor-Leste. The results reveal significant positive impacts of technology adoption on farmers’ market participation. Households where women are relatively more active in agriculture than men are more likely to engage in agricultural commerce. The results also show a positive impact of technology adoption on maize productivity. These findings present the first empirical evidence of the causal link between technology adoption and market participation choices.

中文翻译：

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通过在东帝汶农村采用技术提高小农的市场参与度

本研究考察了高产玉米品种作为小农在高度自给的农村经济中参与市场的关键驱动因素之一的作用。该分析基于生命种子计划 2016 年收集的计划结束调查数据，涵盖东帝汶农村 700 户家庭。结果揭示了技术采用对农民市场参与的显着积极影响。女性在农业方面比男性更活跃的家庭更有可能从事农业贸易。结果还显示了技术采用对玉米生产力的积极影响。这些发现提供了技术采用和市场参与选择之间因果关系的第一个经验证据。