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Early Adopters and the Diffusion of Agroecological Knowledge in Peer Groups

Author

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  • Rose Deperrois

    (GAEL - Laboratoire d'Economie Appliquée de Grenoble - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes, CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement - UM - Université de Montpellier)

  • Adélaïde Fadhuile

    (GAEL - Laboratoire d'Economie Appliquée de Grenoble - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes - Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes)

  • Julie Subervie

    (CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - UM - Université de Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro - Montpellier SupAgro - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement, INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement)

  • Sophie Thoyer

    (CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement - UM - Université de Montpellier)

Abstract

Peer-to-peer knowledge diffusion is increasingly recognized as a key mechanism in various economic contexts and may play a crucial role in fostering the adoption of agroecological practices among farmers. However, the conditions for effective peer learning remain poorly understood, particularly regarding the role of the injection point -- the first individual to receive information -- within a peer group. This study examines whether the profile of the injection point affects the diffusion of agroecological knowledge. We conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with roughly 850 voluntary French farmers, randomly assigned to peer groups on a digital communication platform. Over an 18-month period, only one farmer per treated group receives information on agroecology, serving as the injection point for diffusion. Treatment varies according to whether the injection point is an early adopter of agroecology or an ordinary peer. A benchmark group receives direct broadcasting of the information to all members. The experiment began in January 2025 and will run until June 2026, with data collection ongoing.

Suggested Citation

  • Rose Deperrois & Adélaïde Fadhuile & Julie Subervie & Sophie Thoyer, 2026. "Early Adopters and the Diffusion of Agroecological Knowledge in Peer Groups," Post-Print hal-05671801, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05671801
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