Diffusion of Crossbred Cow Technology in Sri Lanka using Duration Analysis

Abstract

Livestock plays an important role in the Sri Lankan economy and the smallholders contribute significantly to dairy production. This study was carried out to analyze the time-to- adoption of crossbred cow technology by smallholder dairy farmers. Hazard or duration analysis was used to examine the impact of time-varying and time-invariant variables on the speed of adoption of crossbreeds by smallholders. A Cox Proportional Hazard model was estimated using a sample of 401 farmers spanning 8 districts in the country. The empirical results highlight the importance of farming system, extension services, education level of farmers, their society memberships and geographical zones on accelerated adoption. However, higher transaction costs, experience, less accessibility to credit, less contacts with extension services and higher costs of production delay the time to adoption.