*5.1.2 Definition of model variables*

The perception of the producer depends on several factors. The most conventionally analyzed are the socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics of the producer, as well as the institutional factors. The choice of the analysis variables of the model is based on empirical literature [20–22] as well as on the availability of data.

The dependent variable of the probit model is defined as binary variable, equal to 1 if the farmer has a very good perception of the Tilgr-Baore and 0 if not. The definitions and the measurements of the variables used in the estimation of perception were summarized in **Table 2**.

## **5.2 Source of data**

The survey data were collected as part of the research program "Adoption and popularization of onion and potato conservation technology for food and nutrition


**59**

**Figure 4.**

*Local Techniques for Crop Conservation in Burkina Faso: Analysis of the Valorization Status…*

security in Burkina Faso: case of Tilgr-Baore." This program is part of an action research carried out by a multidisciplinary team composed of anthropologists, economists, sociologists, building specialists, and innovator of the Institute of Science of Societies (INSS) and the Research Institute of Applied Sciences and

This composition of the team has helped to collect quantitative and qualitative data required to cover the different lines of research. For the field phase, a sample of 300 producers was surveyed including 200 potato producers and 100 onion producers, using a questionnaire in the northern and north-central regions of the country. Data were collected in July 2018 at four sites: Yako, Tougou, Titao, and Zintenga. These sites are characterized by strong market garden productions. The specialization of the region in potato and onion production and the existence of selling opportunities in the country's capital and some neighboring countries have justified the choice of these areas. The producers' sample allowed us to carry out descriptive

The characteristics of the producers, the characteristics of the production, and

The sex and the level of education are the two mean characteristics of producers,

The sample of producers is 57% female and 43% male. This means that women are more involved in market garden production. In the northern and north-central regions, market gardening is an income-generating activity for many women in rural areas, as the rural population is predominantly female. According to the continuous multi-sectorial survey [23], the rural population is 51.52% women versus 48.47% men. According to the level of education, **Figure 5** shows the percentage of

The analysis of the sample shows that the majority of onion and potato growers have no level of education. These producers represent a proportion of 53%. Of the producers, 25% are literate in French or in national languages in the non-formal education system and 18% have a primary level. Only 4% of producers reach a secondary level in their study. The lack of training of many producers can limit the use of technology.

the state of knowledge of Tilgr-Baore technology are presented in this section.

presented here. **Figure 4** shows the distribution of the sample by sex.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85179*

Technologies (IRSAT) of Burkina Faso.

statistics and econometric estimates.

**5.3 Descriptive statistics of the sample**

*5.3.1 Characteristics of onion and potato growers*

producers according to the level of education obtained.

*Representation of producers by sex. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

#### **Table 2.**

*Definitions of the variables used in the empirical model and the expected signs.*

*Local Techniques for Crop Conservation in Burkina Faso: Analysis of the Valorization Status… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85179*

security in Burkina Faso: case of Tilgr-Baore." This program is part of an action research carried out by a multidisciplinary team composed of anthropologists, economists, sociologists, building specialists, and innovator of the Institute of Science of Societies (INSS) and the Research Institute of Applied Sciences and Technologies (IRSAT) of Burkina Faso.

This composition of the team has helped to collect quantitative and qualitative data required to cover the different lines of research. For the field phase, a sample of 300 producers was surveyed including 200 potato producers and 100 onion producers, using a questionnaire in the northern and north-central regions of the country. Data were collected in July 2018 at four sites: Yako, Tougou, Titao, and Zintenga. These sites are characterized by strong market garden productions. The specialization of the region in potato and onion production and the existence of selling opportunities in the country's capital and some neighboring countries have justified the choice of these areas. The producers' sample allowed us to carry out descriptive statistics and econometric estimates.

#### **5.3 Descriptive statistics of the sample**

*Agricultural Economics - Current Issues*

*5.1.2 Definition of model variables*

tion were summarized in **Table 2**.

**5.2 Source of data**

**Dependent variable**

**Independent variables**

If β′

*i* = 1, 2……n. *n* is the number of observations.

influence the perception of innovation. β being the coefficients, ε*i* is the error term. We assume the error term is distributed normally with mean zero and variance one.

tcould give him enough incentives to adopt the technology, and the dichotomous variable takes the value 1. The error term is due to the effects not considered.

*Xi* + ε*<sup>i</sup>* > 0, the farmer has a very good perception of the Tilgr-Baore, which

The perception of the producer depends on several factors. The most conventionally analyzed are the socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics of the producer, as well as the institutional factors. The choice of the analysis variables of the model is based on empirical literature [20–22] as well as on the availability of data. The dependent variable of the probit model is defined as binary variable, equal to 1 if the farmer has a very good perception of the Tilgr-Baore and 0 if not. The definitions and the measurements of the variables used in the estimation of percep-

The survey data were collected as part of the research program "Adoption and popularization of onion and potato conservation technology for food and nutrition

**Variables Expected sign**

has a very good appreciation of the technology and 0 if not

are five age groups identified: Under 18 years, 18–34 years,

producer has no level (cannot read or write) and 1 if the producer has acquired a level of education (by school or training adults)

household. There are four household categories according to size. Small-sized households consist of less than 5 people. Then we have the household of 5–10 people, followed by household of 10–15 people, and finally the large household, with more than 15 people

activity. The different levels of experience are less than 5 years in agriculture, 5–10 years of experience, 10–15 years of experience, 15–20 years of experience, and more than 20 years of experience

Binary variable, equal to 1 if the farmer knows the existence of

+/−

+/−

+

+

+

+

Farmers' perceptions Level of appreciation of the technology. Equal to 1 if the producer

Age Age is defined in terms of the number of years of birth. There

35–54 years, 55–70 years, and over 71 years

Sex Sex is a binary variable equal to 0 if the producer is female and 1

Level of education The level of education is a binary variable that is equal to 0 if the

Household size Household size refers to the number of people living in the

Experience in farming Experience refers to the number of years spent in agricultural

new technologies and 0 if not

*Definitions of the variables used in the empirical model and the expected signs.*

Farm size Area sown with onion and potatoes, in hectare +

if he is male

**58**

**Table 2.**

Information on the existence of new conservation techniques

*Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018*

The characteristics of the producers, the characteristics of the production, and the state of knowledge of Tilgr-Baore technology are presented in this section.

#### *5.3.1 Characteristics of onion and potato growers*

The sex and the level of education are the two mean characteristics of producers, presented here. **Figure 4** shows the distribution of the sample by sex.

The sample of producers is 57% female and 43% male. This means that women are more involved in market garden production. In the northern and north-central regions, market gardening is an income-generating activity for many women in rural areas, as the rural population is predominantly female. According to the continuous multi-sectorial survey [23], the rural population is 51.52% women versus 48.47% men. According to the level of education, **Figure 5** shows the percentage of producers according to the level of education obtained.

The analysis of the sample shows that the majority of onion and potato growers have no level of education. These producers represent a proportion of 53%. Of the producers, 25% are literate in French or in national languages in the non-formal education system and 18% have a primary level. Only 4% of producers reach a secondary level in their study. The lack of training of many producers can limit the use of technology.

**Figure 4.** *Representation of producers by sex. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

**Figure 5.**

*The level of education of producers. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

#### *5.3.2. The characteristics of the production*

This section highlights the perception of postharvest losses by farmers. **Figure 6** shows the percentage of producers facing production losses related to the conservation of the potato.

Potato producers record losses due to their conservation methods and technologies. Indeed 86% of producers experience losses of 21 kg or more related to the conservation of their potato production. The analyses show that the producers clearly perceive the losses related to their conservation technique. The extract from the interview with a producer from the study area proves that. This producer from the north-central region said: "There is no infrastructure to keep our production, we sell at harvest because it is difficult to keep. There is also the fact that those who produce the first, have an interest in selling it quickly. For the production from February to April, the market is very very weak, it is at this moment that we will gain to keep because it is at this period that we produce more. PAFASP<sup>1</sup> has tried to help some people build small sheds to keep, but it is very little compared to large production. So that we sell the production in the field because we can not preserve" (speech of Naaba Tingre producer of onions and potatoes at Zimtenga, July 2018).

#### *5.3.3. State of knowledge of Tilgr-Baore technology*

We present in this part the state of knowledge of the innovation, the source of the information about the technology, and the perception of the attributes of this innovation. **Figure 7** shows the state of knowledge of the Tilgr-Baore box in the sample.

**61**

**Figure 7.**

**Figure 8.**

who are mostly illiterate.

*Local Techniques for Crop Conservation in Burkina Faso: Analysis of the Valorization Status…*

*Knowledge of the Tilgr-Baore box by the producers. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

More than half of the producers interviewed (51.5%) do not yet know the Tilgr-Baore conservation box. This ignorance of innovation does not allow producers to benefit from the advantages offered by this technology. What are the reasons that can explain this situation? Would it be a weak use of communication channels? By focusing on the communication channels through which producers have learned about the box, **Figure 8** shows that the media played a weak role in disseminating information to producers. This could be explained by the high costs of disseminating information in the media or the low level of education of producers

*Producer information channels on the existence of the Tilgr-Baore box. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

Chat within farmer organizations is the most used communication channel for disseminating information on innovations. This mode of communication has allowed 41% of producers to be informed about the existence of the innovation. Only 17% of producers received information through the media channel (mainly radio). This result means that farmers' organizations play an important role in the dissemination of information because these exchange frameworks constitute elements of the social capital of producers. For a better promotion of the innovation,

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85179*

<sup>1</sup> PAFASP: Agro Sylvo Pastoral Support Program

*Local Techniques for Crop Conservation in Burkina Faso: Analysis of the Valorization Status… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85179*

**Figure 7.** *Knowledge of the Tilgr-Baore box by the producers. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

#### **Figure 8.**

*Agricultural Economics - Current Issues*

*5.3.2. The characteristics of the production*

*The level of education of producers. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

tion of the potato.

**Figure 5.**

the sample.

This section highlights the perception of postharvest losses by farmers. **Figure 6** shows the percentage of producers facing production losses related to the conserva-

Potato producers record losses due to their conservation methods and technologies. Indeed 86% of producers experience losses of 21 kg or more related to the conservation of their potato production. The analyses show that the producers clearly perceive the losses related to their conservation technique. The extract from the interview with a producer from the study area proves that. This producer from the north-central region said: "There is no infrastructure to keep our production, we sell at harvest because it is difficult to keep. There is also the fact that those who produce the first, have an interest in selling it quickly. For the production from February to April, the market is very very weak, it is at this moment that we will

has tried to

gain to keep because it is at this period that we produce more. PAFASP<sup>1</sup>

*5.3.3. State of knowledge of Tilgr-Baore technology*

<sup>1</sup> PAFASP: Agro Sylvo Pastoral Support Program

help some people build small sheds to keep, but it is very little compared to large production. So that we sell the production in the field because we can not preserve" (speech of Naaba Tingre producer of onions and potatoes at Zimtenga, July 2018).

We present in this part the state of knowledge of the innovation, the source of the information about the technology, and the perception of the attributes of this innovation. **Figure 7** shows the state of knowledge of the Tilgr-Baore box in

*The losses of the producers related to the conservation of the potato. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

**60**

**Figure 6.**

*Producer information channels on the existence of the Tilgr-Baore box. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

More than half of the producers interviewed (51.5%) do not yet know the Tilgr-Baore conservation box. This ignorance of innovation does not allow producers to benefit from the advantages offered by this technology. What are the reasons that can explain this situation? Would it be a weak use of communication channels?

By focusing on the communication channels through which producers have learned about the box, **Figure 8** shows that the media played a weak role in disseminating information to producers. This could be explained by the high costs of disseminating information in the media or the low level of education of producers who are mostly illiterate.

Chat within farmer organizations is the most used communication channel for disseminating information on innovations. This mode of communication has allowed 41% of producers to be informed about the existence of the innovation. Only 17% of producers received information through the media channel (mainly radio). This result means that farmers' organizations play an important role in the dissemination of information because these exchange frameworks constitute elements of the social capital of producers. For a better promotion of the innovation,

**Figure 9.**

#### **Figure 10.**

*The advantages of Tilgr-Baore according to the producers. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

it is important that the diffusion projects are in relation with farmers' organizations and in contact with the producers. These actions would improve the level of appreciation of Tilgr-Baore by the producers. **Figure 9** gives an overview of the assessment of innovation by agricultural producers.

Among producers who are aware of the existence of the innovation, we note that 44% have a very good appreciation of the conservation box. The majority of producers surveyed (about 53%) gives a good appreciation of the box. However, to allow Tilgr-Baore technology to play an important role in the conservation and marketing of products, 55.9% of producers believe that its management should be done in groups or in association. In addition, a significant proportion of producers (41.4%) want the technology to be managed at the family level.

Producers evaluate the benefits of Tilgr-Baore in relation to increased income, improved product quality, and food security. **Figure 10** represents the perception of producers on the benefits of the innovation.

The result of producer's perception analysis on the benefits of the innovation show that 41% of producers find that the use of the conservation box improves incomes compared to 37% who believe that the technology maintain quality of products over a long period of time. Only 21% think that Tilgr-Baore improves food safety. This result implies that producers give more importance to the incomeenhancing effect of the new conservation technologies.

The analysis of state of knowledge of Tilgr-Baore technology reveals that the technology is well appreciated and the benefits associated with its use are known. However, the proportion of producers who have this knowledge of technology is still low. This leads us to analyze the actions of valorization of the technology.

**63**

**Table 3.**

*1*

*2 Prob > chi2*

*there are seven degrees of freedom.*

*the 1% threshold because Prob>chi2*

*Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018*

*Local Techniques for Crop Conservation in Burkina Faso: Analysis of the Valorization Status…*

**5.4 Econometric results of perception of Tilgr-Baore technology estimation**

**Table 3** presents the results of the probit model estimation of farmers' perception of Tilgr-Baore technology. The probit model parameters were estimated by the

The likelihood ratio test (LR test) indicates that the estimated model is globally significant at the 1% threshold. Individual significance tests indicate that educational level, farm size, and information availability significantly influence the

Educated farmers have a higher probability of perceiving the utility of Tilgr-Baore. When the producer is educated, the probability of having a very good perception of Tilgr-Baore increases by 12.71%. The level of education of the individual is an element of human capital. Instruction is described as an essential element in any development process. When a producer is educated, he can better appreciate the usefulness of new technologies, and he will be open to new ideas. The coefficient for size of cultivating land has a negative sign and shows that farmers with larger farm size were less likely to appreciate Tilgr-Baore technology. When the size of the farm increases by 1 hectare, the probability of having a very good perception of Tilgr-Baore decreases by 4.02%. This can be explained by the fact that small farms are the ones that face the most constraint of crop storage. The availability of information about the existence of new technologies has induced farmer more probability to perceive Tilgr-Baore technology. Access to information on the existence of new product storage technologies increases the probability of having a

The positive sign associated with age, household size, and agricultural experience shows that these variables are positively related to Tilgr-Baore perception, but the effect is not statistically significant. These variables cannot explain the difference in perception of technology. Similarly, the sex variable has no significant

**Perception of Tilgr-Baore Marginal effects Standard error** Age 0.0347137 0.0463629 Sex −0.0344878 0.0636664 Level of education 0.1271664\*\* 0.0589712 Household size 0.0429695 0.0315065 Agricultural experience 0.0359173 0.0300884 Farm size −0.0402437\*\* 0.019039 Information 0.2807886\*\*\* 0.0664915 Number of observations = 300 Likelihood ratio (LR) chi-square test: LR chi2(7)1 = 31.18 Prob > chi22 = 0.0001

*The likelihood chi-square test is a statistic test used for comparing the goodness of fit of two statistical models. The number in the parenthesis indicates the number of degrees of freedom. In this model, there are seven predictors, so* 

*\*Mean the parameter is significant at 10%, \*\* the parameter is significant at 5%, and \*\*\* the parameter is significant at 1%.*

 *is less than 0.000.*

*Probit regression of farmers' perception of Tilgr-Baoré technology.*

 *is the probability of obtaining the chi-square statistic, which is compared to a critical value 0.01, 0.05, or 0.1 to determine if the overall model is statistically significant. In this study, the model is statistically significant at* 

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85179*

maximum likelihood method.

perception of Tilgr-Baore technology.

very good perception of Tilgr-Baore of 28.07%.

effects on the perception of technology.

*Local Techniques for Crop Conservation in Burkina Faso: Analysis of the Valorization Status… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85179*

### **5.4 Econometric results of perception of Tilgr-Baore technology estimation**

**Table 3** presents the results of the probit model estimation of farmers' perception of Tilgr-Baore technology. The probit model parameters were estimated by the maximum likelihood method.

The likelihood ratio test (LR test) indicates that the estimated model is globally significant at the 1% threshold. Individual significance tests indicate that educational level, farm size, and information availability significantly influence the perception of Tilgr-Baore technology.

Educated farmers have a higher probability of perceiving the utility of Tilgr-Baore. When the producer is educated, the probability of having a very good perception of Tilgr-Baore increases by 12.71%. The level of education of the individual is an element of human capital. Instruction is described as an essential element in any development process. When a producer is educated, he can better appreciate the usefulness of new technologies, and he will be open to new ideas. The coefficient for size of cultivating land has a negative sign and shows that farmers with larger farm size were less likely to appreciate Tilgr-Baore technology. When the size of the farm increases by 1 hectare, the probability of having a very good perception of Tilgr-Baore decreases by 4.02%. This can be explained by the fact that small farms are the ones that face the most constraint of crop storage. The availability of information about the existence of new technologies has induced farmer more probability to perceive Tilgr-Baore technology. Access to information on the existence of new product storage technologies increases the probability of having a very good perception of Tilgr-Baore of 28.07%.

The positive sign associated with age, household size, and agricultural experience shows that these variables are positively related to Tilgr-Baore perception, but the effect is not statistically significant. These variables cannot explain the difference in perception of technology. Similarly, the sex variable has no significant effects on the perception of technology.


*1 The likelihood chi-square test is a statistic test used for comparing the goodness of fit of two statistical models. The number in the parenthesis indicates the number of degrees of freedom. In this model, there are seven predictors, so there are seven degrees of freedom.*

*2 Prob > chi2 is the probability of obtaining the chi-square statistic, which is compared to a critical value 0.01, 0.05, or 0.1 to determine if the overall model is statistically significant. In this study, the model is statistically significant at the 1% threshold because Prob>chi2 is less than 0.000.*

*\*Mean the parameter is significant at 10%, \*\* the parameter is significant at 5%, and \*\*\* the parameter is significant at 1%. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018*

#### **Table 3.**

*Probit regression of farmers' perception of Tilgr-Baoré technology.*

*Agricultural Economics - Current Issues*

it is important that the diffusion projects are in relation with farmers' organizations and in contact with the producers. These actions would improve the level of appreciation of Tilgr-Baore by the producers. **Figure 9** gives an overview of the assess-

*The advantages of Tilgr-Baore according to the producers. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

*The level of appreciation of Tilgr-Baore by the producers. Source: Authors, survey data, July 2018.*

Among producers who are aware of the existence of the innovation, we note that 44% have a very good appreciation of the conservation box. The majority of producers surveyed (about 53%) gives a good appreciation of the box. However, to allow Tilgr-Baore technology to play an important role in the conservation and marketing of products, 55.9% of producers believe that its management should be done in groups or in association. In addition, a significant proportion of producers

Producers evaluate the benefits of Tilgr-Baore in relation to increased income, improved product quality, and food security. **Figure 10** represents the perception of

The result of producer's perception analysis on the benefits of the innovation show that 41% of producers find that the use of the conservation box improves incomes compared to 37% who believe that the technology maintain quality of products over a long period of time. Only 21% think that Tilgr-Baore improves food safety. This result implies that producers give more importance to the income-

The analysis of state of knowledge of Tilgr-Baore technology reveals that the technology is well appreciated and the benefits associated with its use are known. However, the proportion of producers who have this knowledge of technology is still low. This leads us to analyze the actions of valorization of the technology.

ment of innovation by agricultural producers.

producers on the benefits of the innovation.

(41.4%) want the technology to be managed at the family level.

enhancing effect of the new conservation technologies.

**62**

**Figure 10.**

**Figure 9.**
