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Did you really get the message? Using text reminders to stimulate adoption of agricultural technologies

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  • Larochelle, Catherine
  • Alwang, Jeffrey
  • Travis, Elli

Abstract

This paper provides evidence from a randomized control trial (RCT) conducted among potato farmers in Northern Ecuador about the impact of receipt of text message reminders on farmer knowledge about and adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) practices. The paper provides novel empirical evidence of the potential roles of reminders as post-training follow-ups in an agrarian setting. Using psychological constructs, we examine competing explanations for non-standard decision making such as low adoption of beneficial agricultural technologies. Farmers who received text messages have significantly higher knowledge scores and are more likely to adopt most IPM practices than those in the control group. The experiment provides evidences that text messages lead to behavioral changes by reducing inattention and sub-optimal heuristics in the case of complex decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Larochelle, Catherine & Alwang, Jeffrey & Travis, Elli, "undated". "Did you really get the message? Using text reminders to stimulate adoption of agricultural technologies," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235423, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea16:235423
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.235423
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    References listed on IDEAS

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