Determinants of Agricultural Extension Services: The Case of Haiti
Summary — This paper analyzes the factors influencing the receipt of agricultural extension services in Haiti prior to the 2010 earthquake. It uses data from the 2010 Agricultural Census to examine farmer characteristics and analyzes the equilibrium between the demand for and supply of extension services.
Key Findings
- The proportion of households receiving agricultural extension services in Haiti is non-negligible.
- Location is an important determinant of the recipients of agricultural extension services.
- There are no statistical differences between men and women in terms of receipt of extension services.
- Prior agricultural training is a major determinant of the recipients of extension services.
- Coffee producers make more use of extension services than other farmers.
Full Description
This paper extracts relevant lessons from historical data on factors influencing the receipt of extension services in Haiti, taking stock of the use of agricultural extension services prior to the 2010 earthquake. The goal is to influence future policies and development projects involving the provision of extension services as well as the type of extension services offered. This paper uses data from the 2010 Agricultural Census and examines the characteristics of farmers in Haiti receiving extension services by gender, education, agricultural training, farm size, and type of crop. Through in-depth study of each variable and a review of trends in the receipt of agricultural extension services, the study analyzes the equilibrium between the demand for and supply of extension services to particular farmer groups. Using a fixed effects probit model to isolate the marginal effect of each characteristic on the likelihood of receiving extension services, and controlling for various factors, the study draws nine key conclusions.