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The Green Revolution and Infant Mortality in India

Author

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  • Bharadwaj, Prashant

    (University of California San Diego)

  • Fenske, James

    (University of Warwick.)

  • Mirza, Rinchan Ali

    (University of Namur)

  • Namrata Kala,

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

We use a difference in differences approach to show that the adoption of High Yielding Varieties (HYV) reduced infant mortality in India. This holds even comparing children of the same mother. Children of mothers whose characteristics predict higher child mortality, rural children, boys, and low-caste children benefit more from HYV adoption. We find no obvious evidence that parental investments respond to HYV adoption. We find little evidence of selection into child bearing in response to HYV adoption.

Suggested Citation

  • Bharadwaj, Prashant & Fenske, James & Mirza, Rinchan Ali & Namrata Kala,, 2018. "The Green Revolution and Infant Mortality in India," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1175, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wrk:warwec:1175
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    2. Douglas Gollin & Casper Worm Hansen & Asger Mose Wingender, 2021. "Two Blades of Grass: The Impact of the Green Revolution," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 129(8), pages 2344-2384.
    3. Shrestha, Vinish & Jung, Juergen, 2023. "Healthcare reform and gender specific infant mortality in rural Nepal," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
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    6. K. L. Krishna & J. V. Meenakshi, 2022. "Agricultural Productivity Growth and Structural Transformation in Rural India: Some Recent Evidence," Journal of Quantitative Economics, Springer;The Indian Econometric Society (TIES), vol. 20(1), pages 277-302, September.
    7. Roland Pongou, 2020. "Is Excess (Fe)Male Mortality Caused by the Prenatal Environment, Child Biology, or Parental Discrimination? New Evidence from Male-Female Twins," Working Papers 2008E Classification-I15,, University of Ottawa, Department of Economics.
    8. von der Goltz, Jan & Dar, Aaditya & Fishman, Ram & Mueller, Nathaniel D. & Barnwal, Prabhat & McCord, Gordon C., 2020. "Health Impacts of the Green Revolution: Evidence from 600,000 births across the Developing World," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    9. Tyack, Nicholas, 2020. "Genetic resources and agricultural productivity in the developing world," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304277, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    10. Alfano, Marco, 2022. "Islamic law and investments in children: Evidence from the Sharia introduction in Nigeria," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
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    12. Ratnoo, Vigyan D., 2024. "Persistent effects of colonial land tenure institutions: Village-level evidence from India," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
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