Advanced Analytics
Impact Assessment of Striga-Resistant Maize Varieties and Fertilizer Use
Why actuarially sound products still stall—and how behavior, aspirations, and design can unlock renewal.
Forecasting Impact with Rigorous Models. Advanced econometric and behavioral analysis that turns complex data into clearer productivity, climate, and welfare insights.
National insurers had actuarially sound products but stagnant renewal. The hypothesis: demand frictions were behavioral and social, not only basis risk.
Striga, a parasitic weed, is one of the most devastating constraints on maize production in Ghana and across Africa. It attaches to maize roots, siphoning nutrients and drastically reducing yields. Traditional control methods have proven ineffective, leaving farmers vulnerable to crop failure and food insecurity. The introduction of Striga-resistant maize varieties offers a promising solution, but adoption rates remain limited. This study evaluates the impact of resistant varieties and fertilizer use on productivity and household welfare. The broader context is one of urgent need for innovations that can break the cycle of low productivity and poverty. Striga infestation disproportionately affects smallholder farmers, who often lack resources to invest in inputs. Fertilizer use, when combined with resistant varieties, has the potential to transform outcomes. However, evidence is needed to demonstrate the benefits and guide policy. This research situates Striga control within the wider agenda of food security and rural development.
Striga-resistant maize and fertilizer use are transformative innovations for productivity and household welfare, offering a pathway to sustainable food security.
Martey, E., et al
2023
Background
Advancing through the data
Striga, a parasitic weed, is one of the most devastating constraints on maize production in Ghana and across Africa. It attaches to maize roots, siphoning nutrients and drastically reducing yields. Traditional control methods have proven ineffective, leaving farmers vulnerable to crop failure and food insecurity. The introduction of Striga-resistant maize varieties offers a promising solution, but adoption rates remain limited. This study evaluates the impact of resistant varieties and fertilizer use on productivity and household welfare. The broader context is one of urgent need for innovations that can break the cycle of low productivity and poverty. Striga infestation disproportionately affects smallholder farmers, who often lack resources to invest in inputs. Fertilizer use, when combined with resistant varieties, has the potential to transform outcomes. However, evidence is needed to demonstrate the benefits and guide policy. This research situates Striga control within the wider agenda of food security and rural development.
Research Approach
Field trials were conducted in Striga-prone areas to measure yield differences between resistant and traditional varieties. Household surveys captured adoption rates, input use, and welfare outcomes such as income and food security. Econometric models were applied to assess the impact of adoption on productivity and welfare indicators. The study also examined barriers to adoption, including seed availability, cost, and farmer awareness. Extension services were evaluated for their role in promoting resistant varieties. By combining agronomic trials with socioeconomic analysis, the research provided a comprehensive assessment of both technical and social dimensions. This dual approach ensured that findings were relevant for both scientists and policymakers.
Key findings from this study include:
- Striga-resistant varieties increased yields by 20–30%.
- Fertilizer use amplified productivity gains.
- Adoption improved household food security and income stability.
Implications
A strategic lens for organizations and policymakers
Scaling resistant varieties is critical for food security.
Policymakers should support input subsidies and extension services.
Businesses can expand markets for improved seed and fertilizer.
For organizations, this research informs agricultural input programs. For policymakers, it provides evidence for subsidy and extension policies. For businesses, it highlights profitable opportunities in seed and fertilizer markets.
Striga-resistant maize and fertilizer use are transformative innovations for productivity and household welfare, offering a pathway to sustainable food security.
Martey, E., et al, 2023
