UWA Papers on Agricultural Extension and
Adoption and Diffusion of Innovations in Agriculture
Abstract
- Does extension pay?
A case study of the adoption of lupins in Western Australia
Sally P. Marsh, David J. Pannell and Robert K. Lindner
Agricultural and Resource Economics, The University of W.A., Nedlands, 6907
Abstract
There is little empirical evidence available about the net economic benefits of agricultural extension. In this study we examine regional differences in the adoption of lupins in Western Australia, in order to estimate the influence of different levels of extension on the pattern of adoption. Differences in the starting time, rate and ceiling level of adoption for 40 shires were analysed using multi-variate regression analysis. The results suggest that both public and private extension activities influenced the start time of the adoption process for lupins, but not the rate or final ceiling level of adoption. These were largely influenced by variables directly related to profitability. Economic benefits of extension, as quantified by the statistical analysis, were combined with costs of extension estimated from public sector records and surveys of private sector extension agents and used to estimate the net present value of extension investments by the public and private sectors in the study area.
Citation: Marsh, S.P., Pannell, D.J. and Lindner, R.K. (1996). Does extension pay? A case study looking at the adoption of lupins in Western Australia. Paper presented at the 40th Annual Conference of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, Melbourne, Feb 12-14 1996.
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Adoption, diffusion and extension papers, UWA