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This is the accepted manuscript version of the work published in its final form as Kumar, S., Das, A., Hauser, M., Muricho, G., Degefu, T., Fikre, A., Ojiewo, C., Ferede, S., & Varshney, R. K. (2022). Estimating the potential to close yield gaps through increased efficiency of chickpea production in Ethiopia.Food Security. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-022-01285-w Deposited byshareyourpaper.organdopenaccessbutton.org. We've taken reasonable steps to ensure this content doesn't violate copyright. However, if you think it does you can request a takedown by emailinghelp@openaccessbutton.org.

This paper examines whether there is a difference in the adoption of push-pull pest management technology (PPT) and other sustainable agricultural practices (SAPs) on field-plots managed by males or females and those that are jointly-managed by males and females using plot-level and gender disaggregated data from Western Kenya. The econometric results suggest that there was no gender heterogeneity in the adoption of PPT after controlling for the manager of the field-plot and plot characteristics. However, gender differences in the adoption pattern of some other SAPs were evident. Jointly-managed plots were more likely to receive animal manure and soil and water conservation measures compared to male-managed and female-managed plots. We did not find any gender differences in the adoption of maize-grain legume intercropping, crop rotation, fertilizer use and improved maize seeds. The analysis further showed a significant correlation between PPT and other SAPs, suggesting that the adoption of agricultural technologies is interrelated. Lack of evidence on gender differences suggests that promotion and dissemination of PPT can be supported equally for male and female cereal farmers. Wider adoption can be achieved through promoting awareness of the technology and offering training through field days.

The history of producer organizations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a mixed one. In the past, producer organizations often failed to provide desired services due to dependence on government support, which led to heavy political interference as well as internal leadership and managerial problems. However, the hasty retreat of the state following adjustment and market liberalization reforms left an institutional void that the private sector has failed to fill. This study reviews the role that producer organizations can play, and the challenges they face in improving access to markets and technologies for enhancing productivity of smallholder agriculture in SSA in the post-adjustment era. The paper critically examines the evidence for improving access to markets, information and technologies, and the conditions that facilitate the success of producer organizations in providing such services. Emphasis is on the characteristics of user groups, institutional arrangements, governance mechanisms, types of products (staples, perishables and other commodities), and the role of the public and private sector service providers. We conclude that while recent experiences are mixed, good governance, more homogeneous and optimal group size, transparency and market orientation can enhance the role of producer organizations in improving access to markets. However, ideally these organizations need to prioritise agribusiness opportunities over social welfare objectives even though this may mean that some households are unable to take advantage of them. Donors and governments have important roles to play in stimulating the emergence and development of economically viable and self-sustaining producer organizations. The private sector is also critical in terms of providing producer organizations with financial and business development services.