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Relaxing multiple agricultural productivity constraints at scale

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  • Deutschmann, Joshua W.
  • Duru, Maya
  • Siegal, Kim
  • Tjernström, Emilia

Abstract

No single constraint can explain the stagnant agricultural productivity growth in sub-Saharan Africa. Most interventions that relax individual barriers to productivity have delivered disappointing results. We evaluate an at-scale program that targets several productivity constraints with a bundled intervention, using a randomized controlled trial in western Kenya. Program participation increases maize yields by 26%, total maize output by 24%, and profits by 18%. While we cannot directly test whether the program’s success is due to its bundled nature, we find patterns in the data that are consistent with this hypothesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Deutschmann, Joshua W. & Duru, Maya & Siegal, Kim & Tjernström, Emilia, 2025. "Relaxing multiple agricultural productivity constraints at scale," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:174:y:2025:i:c:s0304387824001585
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2024.103409
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