This study evaluated the poverty reduction impact of the adoption of cropping system intensification (CSI) technologies using the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model in the Great Lakes region of Africa that comprises Burundi, eastern DR Congo, and Rwanda. The study data came from a household survey of 1,495 sample households interviewed between October and December 2014. Results indicated that the adoption of the CSI technologies had increased crop yield, crop income, and per capita consumption expenditure in the region, resulting in poverty reduction. Among the three countries, eastern DR Congo witnessed the highest poverty reduction (13% points) followed by Rwanda (6% points) and Burundi (2% points). Considering the adoption rate and size of the target population in each country at baseline, an estimated 180 thousand poor individuals had escaped poverty due to the adoption of the CSI technologies. This presents important evidence in favor of promoting CSI technologies as part of poverty reduction strategy. Given the large population size that remains poor even after adoption, we suggest that research‐based poverty reduction strategies such as the CSI technologies should be complemented with development interventions.

https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fes3.205

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DONTSOP NGUEZET Paul Martinhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5098-1853

John Herbert Ainembabazihttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6700-4522

Arega Alenehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2491-4603

Tahirou Abdoulayehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8072-1363

Shiferaw Felekehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0759-4070

Generose Nziguhebahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4227-2242

Djana Babatima Mignounahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4074-2928

Chris Okaforhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2162-6101

Piet van Astenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0584-3552

bernard vanlauwehttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6016-6027

https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fes3.205

Biotech and Plant Breeding; Natural Resource Management; Social Science and Agribusiness

Agribusiness; Agronomy; Crop Systems; Food Security; Plant Breeding; Plant Production; Post-Harvesting Technology; Smallholder Farmers; Value Chains

Innovation Adoption; Africa; Cropping Systems; Intensification; Technology; Poverty; Great Lakes

Africa; Central Africa

Burundi; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Rwanda

Southern Africa Hub; Eastern Africa Hub; Central Africa Hub; Headquarters and Western Africa Hub

Food and Energy Security