Estimating the impact of biological control of maize stemborers on productivity and poverty in Kenya: a continuous treatment approach

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Environment, Development and Sustainability

Name of Author

Soul kifouly G. Midingoyi, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics Mali
Menale B. Kassie, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
Hippolyte D. Affognon, West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF)
Ibrahim Macharia, Kenyatta University
Bruno LeRu, CNRS Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Publication Date

2-1-2024

Abstract

This study examines the farm-level effects of stemborers' biological control (BC) using biological and household survey data collected in rural Kenya. The authors use a continuous treatment impact-evaluation method to estimate BC's average and marginal treatment effects. Findings indicate that, on average, a one percent increase in the intensity of BC increases maize yield by 9.3 kg per hectare and reduces the poverty level of maize-growing farm households by 0.5%. Developing and promoting biological control can be seen as an additional tool in the fight against food insecurity and poverty in Africa through controlling important pests.

Keywords

Biological control, Continuous treatment, Impact assessment, Poverty, Productivity

Recommended Citation

Midingoyi, S., Kassie, M., Affognon, H., Macharia, I., & LeRu, B. (2024). Estimating the impact of biological control of maize stemborers on productivity and poverty in Kenya: a continuous treatment approach. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26 (2), 5067-5088. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-02924-8