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Abstract
In spite of the socio-economic importance of yam, his production is still facing serious
constraints as no availability and inadequacy of seed tubers. In order to cope with these
constraints, International of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has developed improved varieties of
which we have TDrs’ varieties. Many years after their extension in Benin, it’s then important
to evaluate their adoption rate and identify factors which determine this adoption. This
study’s aim is to contribute to this evaluation. Data used came from 202 yam producers
randomly selected in villages pertain to Borgou and Collines’s regions. The framework
developed by Reed et al. (1991) and the counterfactual outcomes framework estimating the
Average Treatment Effect have been respectively used to analyze on the one hand yam
producers’ perceptions and on the other hand the rate and determinants of the TDrs
varieties’ adoption. Results indicate that the information rate is 44 % and the main factors
determine information access are the participation on trials activities, being member of yam
producers’ association, contact with extension agents and the revenue proving by yam
production. The results also reveal that aptitude to a good pounded yam, yield, markets
value and aptitude to be consumed as boiled yam are the main criteria that yam producers
are looked for when choosing any yam varieties. Aptitude to a good pounded yam remains
the only criterion not met by the TDrs varieties promoting. The adoption of theses varieties is
influenced by producers’ access to information, their age and their perception about aptitude
to be transformed in chips and markets value. The TDrs population adoption rate is
estimated to be 37 % in 2007 and is projected to reach up to 65 % in the long term.