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How to make farming and agricultural extension more nutrition-sensitive: evidence from a randomised controlled trial in Kenya
[Agricultural extension: good intentions and hard realities]

Author

Listed:
  • Sylvester Ochieng Ogutu
  • Andrea Fongar
  • Theda Gödecke
  • Lisa Jäckering
  • Henry Mwololo
  • Michael Njuguna
  • Meike Wollni
  • Matin Qaim

Abstract

We analyse how agricultural extension can be made more effective in terms of increasing farmers’ adoption of pro-nutrition technologies, such as biofortified crops. In a randomised controlled trial with farmers in Kenya, we implemented several extension treatments and evaluated their effects on the adoption of beans biofortified with iron and zinc. Difference-in-difference estimates show that intensive agricultural training can increase technology adoption considerably. Additional nutrition training helps farmers to better appreciate the technology’s nutritional benefits and thus further increases adoption. This study is among the first to analyse how improved extension designs can help to make smallholder farming more nutrition-sensitive.

Suggested Citation

  • Sylvester Ochieng Ogutu & Andrea Fongar & Theda Gödecke & Lisa Jäckering & Henry Mwololo & Michael Njuguna & Meike Wollni & Matin Qaim, 2020. "How to make farming and agricultural extension more nutrition-sensitive: evidence from a randomised controlled trial in Kenya [Agricultural extension: good intentions and hard realities]," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 47(1), pages 95-118.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:erevae:v:47:y:2020:i:1:p:95-118.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/erae/jby049
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    Cited by:

    1. Yazeed Abdul Mumin & Awudu Abdulai, 2022. "Social networks, adoption of improved variety and household welfare: evidence from Ghana," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 49(1), pages 1-32.
    2. Junuthula, Shirisha & Kumari, Veenita & Srinivasan, Chittur, 2023. "Identification of Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) Knowledge Gaps in the Integration of Nutrition into Training by Agricultural Extension Advisory Services (EAS) Providers in India," 97th Annual Conference, March 27-29, 2023, Warwick University, Coventry, UK 334565, Agricultural Economics Society - AES.
    3. Cariappa, A G Adeeth & Chandel, B S & Sankhala, Gopal & Mani, Veena & R, Sendhil & Dixit, Anil Kumar & Meena, B S, . "Anionic mineral mixture prevents milk fever and improves farmer income: evidence from a randomized controlled trial," Agricultural Economics Research Review, Agricultural Economics Research Association (India), vol. 35(01).
    4. Nzuma, Jonathan Makau & Kaindi, Dasel Mulwa & Mwololo, Henry Muli, 2023. "Farm production diversity and its influence on diet quality: Evidence from South Eastern Kenya," 2023 Seventh AAAE/60th AEASA Conference, September 18-21, 2023, Durban, South Africa 365946, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    5. Christoph Kubitza & Prakashan Chellattan Veettil & Ishika Gupta & Timothy J. Krupnik, 2024. "Can information constraints explain the low efficiency in premium quality rice cultivation? Evidence from smallholder farmers in Bangladesh," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 75(2), pages 617-652, June.
    6. Valera, Harold Glenn & Antonio, Ronald Jeremy & Habib, Muhammad Ashraful & Puskur, Ranjitha & Pede, Valerien & Yamano, Takashi, 2024. "High-zinc rice and randomized nutrition training among women farmers: a panel data analysis of long-term adoption in Bangladesh," MPRA Paper 123643, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Wei Yang & Jorie Knook, 2021. "Spatial evaluation of the impact of a climate change participatory extension programme on the uptake of soil management practices," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 65(3), pages 539-565, July.
    8. Sylvester O. Ogutu & Jonathan Mockshell & James Garrett & Ricardo Labarta & Thea Ritter & Edward Martey & Nedumaran Swamikannu & Elisabetta Gotor & Carolina Gonzalez, 2023. "Home gardens, household nutrition and income in rural farm households in Odisha, India," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 74(3), pages 744-763, September.
    9. Mu, Lan & Luo, Chunxia & Li, Ying & Tan, Zongjia & Gao, Shengrong, 2024. "‘They adopt, I also adopt’: The neighborhood effects and irrigator farmers’ conversion to adopt water-saving irrigation technology," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    10. Arslan, Cansın & Wollni, Meike & Oduol, Judith & Hughes, Karl, 2022. "Who communicates the information matters for technology adoption," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    11. Silas Ongudi & Djiby Thiam & Mario J. Miranda & Sam Abdoul, 2024. "The direct and indirect effects of cash transfer program on the consumption of nutrients: Evidence from Kenya," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 55(3), pages 454-478, May.
    12. Akhter Ahmed & Fiona Coleman & Julie Ghostlaw & John Hoddinott & Purnima Menon & Aklima Parvin & Audrey Pereira & Agnes Quisumbing & Shalini Roy & Masuma Younus, 2024. "Increasing production diversity and diet quality: Evidence from Bangladesh," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 106(3), pages 1089-1110, May.
    13. Ongudi, Silas & Thiam, Djiby, 2021. "The Direct and Indirect Effects of Income on the Consumption of Nutrients: Experimental Evidence from Kenya," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 314956, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    14. Sibhatu, Kibrom T. & Arslan, Aslihan & Zucchini, Emanuele, 2022. "The effect of agricultural programs on dietary diversity and food security: Insights from the smallholder productivity promotion program in Zambia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    15. Ndegwa, Michael K. & Shee, Apurba & Ward, Patrick S. & Liu, Yanyan & Turvey, Calum G. & You, Liangzhi, 2024. "Impact of risk-contingent credit and traditional credit on smallholders’ agricultural investment and productivity: Experimental evidence from Kenya," IFPRI discussion papers 2303, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    16. Gatto, Marcel & Mgomezulu, Wisdom R. & Okello, Julius J. & Pradel, Willy & Kwikiriza, Norman & Hareau, Guy G., 2023. "Direct and spillover effects of biofortified sweetpotato interventions on sustained adoption in Malawi," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    17. Martina Occelli & Jorge Sellare & Kauê De Sousa & Matteo Dell'Acqua & Leida Mercado & Saul Paredes & Juan Robalino & Juan Carlos Rosas & Jacob van Etten, 2024. "Group‐based and citizen science on‐farm variety selection approaches for bean growers in Central America," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 55(2), pages 270-295, March.
    18. Asresu Yitayew & Awudu Abdulai & Yigezu A Yigezu, 2022. "Improved agricultural input delivery systems for enhancing technology adoption: evidence from a field experiment in Ethiopia," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 49(3), pages 527-556.
    19. Janagan Sivagnanasundaram & Jeevani Goonetillake & Rifana Buhary & Thushara Dharmawardhana & Renuka Weerakkody & Rukmali Gunapala & Athula Ginige, 2021. "Digitally-Enabled Crop Disorder Management Process Based on Farmer Empowerment for Improved Outcomes: A Case Study from Sri Lanka," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-28, July.
    20. Nyangau, Paul Nyamweya & Nzuma, Jonathan Makau & Irungu, Patrick & Kassie, Menale, 2023. "Health education effects on knowledge and management of arboviral diseases in Kenya: Evidence from randomised control trials," 2023 Seventh AAAE/60th AEASA Conference, September 18-21, 2023, Durban, South Africa 365915, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    21. Khonje, Makaiko G. & Nyondo, Christone & Mangisoni, Julius H. & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob & Burke, William J. & Chadza, William & Muyanga, Milu, 2022. "Does subsidizing legume seeds improve farm productivity and nutrition in Malawi?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    22. Jackering, L. & Fongar, A. & Godecke, T. & Mbugua, M. & Njuguna, M. & Ogutu, S. & Wollni, M., 2018. "Communication Networks and the Adoption of Technologies: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277540, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy

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