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Knowledge and Adoption of Complex Agricultural Technologies : Evidence from an Extension Experiment

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  • Hörner,Denise
  • Bouguen,Adrien
  • Frölich,Markus
  • Wollni,Meike

Abstract

In most of Sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural extension models have become more decentralizedand participatory and thus, rely on effective farmer-to-farmer learning, while increasingly includingnon-traditional forms of education. At the same time, agricultural technologies become more complex and are nowoften promoted as integrated packages, likely to increase the complexity of the diffusion process. Based on arandomized controlled trial, this study assesses the effects of ‘farmer-to-farmer’ extension and a video intervention onadoption of a complex technology package among 2,382 smallholders in Ethiopia. Both extension-only and extensioncombined with video increase adoption and knowledge of the package, especially of its more complex components; althoughon average, there is no additional effect of the video intervention on adoption. Knowledge and the number ofadopted practices also increase among farmers not actively participating in extension activities, suggestinginformation diffusion. For this group, the additional video intervention has a reinforcing effect, and particularlyfosters adoption of the integrated package.

Suggested Citation

  • Hörner,Denise & Bouguen,Adrien & Frölich,Markus & Wollni,Meike, 2021. "Knowledge and Adoption of Complex Agricultural Technologies : Evidence from an Extension Experiment," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9840, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:9840
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    Keywords

    Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing; Climate Change and Agriculture; Crops and Crop Management Systems; Agricultural Extension; Fertilizers;
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