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Electronic Food Vouchers: Evidence from an At-Scale Experiment in Indonesia

Author

Listed:
  • Abhijit Banerjee
  • Rema Hanna
  • Benjamin A. Olken
  • Elan Satriawan
  • Sudarno Sumarto

Abstract

We compare how in-kind food assistance and an electronic voucher-based program affect the delivery of aid in practice. The Government of Indonesia randomized across 105 districts the transition from in-kind rice to approximately equivalent electronic vouchers redeemable for rice and eggs at a network of private agents. Targeted households received 46 percent more assistance in voucher areas. For the bottom 15 percent of households at baseline, poverty fell 20 percent. Voucher recipients received higher-quality rice, and increased consumption of eggs. The results suggest moving from a manual in-kind to electronic voucher-based program reduced poverty through increased adherence to program design.

Suggested Citation

  • Abhijit Banerjee & Rema Hanna & Benjamin A. Olken & Elan Satriawan & Sudarno Sumarto, 2023. "Electronic Food Vouchers: Evidence from an At-Scale Experiment in Indonesia," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 113(2), pages 514-547, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:113:y:2023:i:2:p:514-47
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20210461
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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