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Private Input Suppliers as Information Agents for Technology Adoption in Agriculture

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  • Dar, Manzoor H.
  • de Janvry, Alain
  • Emerick, Kyle
  • Sadoulet, Elisabeth
  • Wiseman, Eleanor

Abstract

Information frictions limit the adoption of new agricultural technologies in developingcountries. Most public-sector interventions to eliminate these frictions target information directly at select farmers. We show that an information intervention targeted at private input suppliers increases farmer-level adoption by over 50 percent compared to this public-sector approach. These newly informed suppliers become more proactive in carrying the new variety, informing potential customers, and in increasing adoption by those most likely to benefit from the technology. They do so in along-term perspective of reputation building and business development.

Suggested Citation

  • Dar, Manzoor H. & de Janvry, Alain & Emerick, Kyle & Sadoulet, Elisabeth & Wiseman, Eleanor, 2021. "Private Input Suppliers as Information Agents for Technology Adoption in Agriculture," Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley, Working Paper Series qt23k9t4q6, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:agrebk:qt23k9t4q6
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    Cited by:

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    2. Aker, Jenny C. & Dillon, Brian & Welch, C. Jamilah, 2023. "Demand, supply and long-term adoption: Evidence from a storage technology in West Africa," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    3. Puerto, Sergio, 2023. "Agriculture, innovation, and development: What happens when new technology is not good enough?," 2023 Annual Meeting, July 23-25, Washington D.C. 335821, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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    Keywords

    Social and Behavioral Sciences; Technology Adoption; Agriculture; Privatization; Learning;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products

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