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Impact of On-Farm Demonstrations on Technology Adoption, Yield, and Profitability Among Small Farmers of Wheat in Pakistan—An Experimental Study

Author

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  • Nadia Hussain

    (International Economic Development Program (IEDP), Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (GSHSS), Hiroshima University, 1-5-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8529, Japan)

  • Keshav Lall Maharjan

    (International Economic Development Program (IEDP), Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences (GSHSS), Hiroshima University, 1-5-1 Kagamiyama, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8529, Japan)

Abstract

Do the intensive demonstrations result in consistent technology adoption and yield enhancement? While extension methods show significant immediate effects of an intervention, their impact may fade over time. In a government-led natural experiment in Pakistan, a long-lasting adoption of certified seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides/herbicides in post-treatment years were observed by employing difference–indifferences with a fixed effect method on panel data. The intervention increased the technology adoption in terms of certified seeds by 34%, fertilizers by 15 kg/ha, and pesticides/herbicides by 0.22 L/ha among adopters for four years. Similarly, the wheat yield increased by 0.41 tons per hectare, and profit increased by 12% among the treatment group compared to the control group. In view of these findings, this study suggests continuing this supervised method of extension to other crops in Pakistan.

Suggested Citation

  • Nadia Hussain & Keshav Lall Maharjan, 2025. "Impact of On-Farm Demonstrations on Technology Adoption, Yield, and Profitability Among Small Farmers of Wheat in Pakistan—An Experimental Study," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:2:p:214-:d:1570948
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