Predicting Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Liquid Pollination and Polycarbonate Drying Technologies: A Case Study from the Date Palm Growers in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

This research paper aims to assess the adoption level of the two technologies (liquid pollination and polycarbonate drying houses) in the Sultanate of Oman, emphasizing the influencing factors of the adoption process and exploring resulting policy implications. The methodological framework used is based on implementing the ADOPT (Adoption and Diffusion Outcome Prediction Tool) tool in two localities of the Sultanate of Oman through focus group discussion (FGD’s). Empirical findings obtained from the LP technology assessment indicate that the peak adoption rate for liquid pollination technology in “North Al Batinah” is high and predicted to be around 95% (of the total population) after 14.5 years. After 5 and 10 years, the predicted adoption level from introducing the technology in the region is expected to be 46.9% and 91.5%, respectively. The assessment of the rate of adoption of the Polycarbonate Drying Houses (PDH) technology and the identification of factors affecting the peak and adoption levels, and constraints that limit the adoption process and widespread of such technology among the date palm growers of Oman indicates that peak adoption rate for PDH technology in the target study region is predicted to be 95% after 21 years. After 5 and 10 years, the predicted adoption level is expected to be 23.5% and 72.9%, respectively. The presented results suggest that a sustainable increase in date palm productivity can be achieved if farmers are encouraged to adopt the LP and PDH technologies. However, the adoption of such technology needs to be accompanied by a supporting extension system and an enabling policy environment to ensure the scaling-up and widespread use of these promising and profitable technologies.