Diffusion of agricultural knowledge in Southern Ethiopia: finding the real opinion leaders through network analysis

摘要: PurposeAgricultural extension services in poor countries often identify opinion leaders based on criteria such as wealth and social status. We explore the effectiveness of this top-down approach by analysing the role of so-called model and nodal farmers in the diffusion of malt barley in a highland community in Ethiopia.Research approachWe use a retrospective case study design where we combine quantitative network analysis with qualitative data.FindingsNodal farmers played a more central role in knowledge diffusion of the technology than model farmers. While model farmers were wealthier and better connected to the local authorities, nodal farmers were socio-economically more similar to their fellow farmers. Nodal and model farmers, as well as farmers closely connected to them, had a significantly higher adoption index than the rest.Practical implicationsThe diffusion of knowledge is an important condition …