| Popis: |
Achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is a critical priority for East Timor. Food security, reducing poverty, and promoting environmental sustainability are among the key goals of the Timor Leste Government, which supports the identification and uptake by farmers of technologies that will improve agricultural productivity. Integrated crop management (ICM) has the potential to contribute to SDG1 (end poverty), SDG2 (end hunger), and SDG13 (combat climate change) in East Timor. This chapter analyzes the effects of ICM technology in rice farming in Timor Leste. Using a survey sample of 400 rice farmers comprised of 246 ICM farmers and 154 non-ICM farmers in two main rice growing regions in Timor Leste, a propensity score matching approach was used to obtain matched and comparable observations. The consequences of ICM technology adoption on production and outcome variables were evaluated using a treatment effects model. Results showed significant differences in outcomes between ICM farmers and non-ICM farmers, with ICM farmers having significantly higher yields and incomes; male farmers were more likely to adopt the technology than females, presumably because agricultural training sessions are mostly attended by men. Thus to promote gender equality (SDG5), training and extension should be made available to both men and women. Making extension of ICM technology to smallholder farmers (both men and women) more effective is therefore important in efforts to expand ICM adoption in the country and promote SDGs 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, and 13. |
