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Do Plant Clinics Improve Household Food Security? Evidence from Rwanda

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  • Justice A. Tambo
  • Bellancile Uzayisenga
  • Idah Mugambi
  • Mary Bundi

Abstract

One of the main drivers of food insecurity is pests, which are estimated to cause around 40% of crop losses worldwide. We examine the food security effects of plant clinics, a novel agricultural extension model that aims to reduce crop losses due to pests through the provision of demand‐driven plant health diagnostic and advisory services to smallholder farmers. The study is based on survey data from maize‐growing households in Rwanda, where 66 plant clinics have been established. Using switching regression and matching techniques as well as various food security metrics, including the food insecurity experience scale, we find evidence that participation in plant clinics is significantly associated with a reduction in household food insecurity. For instance, among the participating households, plant clinics contribute to a decrease in the period of food shortage by one month and a reduction in the severity of food insecurity by 22 percentage points. We also show that these effects are more pronounced for female‐headed households. Overall, our findings suggest that plant clinics can play an important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2 of zero hunger.

Suggested Citation

  • Justice A. Tambo & Bellancile Uzayisenga & Idah Mugambi & Mary Bundi, 2021. "Do Plant Clinics Improve Household Food Security? Evidence from Rwanda," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(1), pages 97-116, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jageco:v:72:y:2021:i:1:p:97-116
    DOI: 10.1111/1477-9552.12391
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Okyere, Charles Yaw & Kornher, Lukas, 2022. "Carbon Farming Training and Welfare: Evidence from Northern Ghana," Discussion Papers 324738, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    2. Tambo, Justice A. & Romney, Dannie & Mugambi, Idah & Mbugua, Fredrick & Bundi, Mary & Uzayisenga, Bellancile & Matimelo, Mathews & Ndhlovu, Mathias, 2021. "Can plant clinics enhance judicious use of pesticides? Evidence from Rwanda and Zambia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    3. Tambo, Justice & Matimelo, Mathews & Ndhlovu, Mathias & Mbugua, Fredrick & Phiri, Noah, 2021. "Who Benefits? the Gender-Differentiated Impacts of Plant Clinics in Zambia," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315871, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    4. Okyere, Charles Yaw & Kornher, Lukas, 2023. "Carbon farming training and welfare: Evidence from Northern Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    5. Justice A. Tambo & Mathews Matimelo, 2022. "An act of defiance? Measuring farmer deviation from personalised extension recommendations in Zambia," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(2), pages 396-413, June.
    6. Tambo, Justice A. & Matimelo, Mathews & Ndhlovu, Mathias & Mbugua, Fredrick & Phiri, Noah, 2021. "Gender-differentiated impacts of plant clinics on maize productivity and food security: Evidence from Zambia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).

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