Impact of improved common bean varieties on household food security on adopters in Tanzania

Abstract

This paper evaluates the impact of improved common bean varieties on food security using two indicators: per capita food consumption expenditure and dietary diversity score. A generalised propensity score matching technique and an instrumental variable approach were used to assess the impact of improved bean adoption on household food security outcomes. Results show that the effect of improved common bean adoption is generally positive and increases with area allocated for improved beans. The study also provides useful lessons for breeding programs targeting to achieve higher food security outcomes among land-constrained producers.