Spoiler alert! Spillovers in the context of a video intervention to maintain seed quality among Ugandan potato farmers

Senne Vandevelde, Bjorn Van Campenhout and Wilberforce Walukano

LICOS Discussion Papers from LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance, KU Leuven

Abstract: Pervasive use of poor quality seed remains an important reason for low yields throughout the develop- ing world. We explore cost-eective ways to increase the quality of the local stock of seed tubers among a sample of Ugandan potato farmers. We do this by providing agricultural extension information on (i) how to select the best seed tubers and (ii) how to properly handle and store seed tubers until the next planting season. The information is conveyed in the form of engaging videos, shown to individual farmers on mobile devices. The relative eectiveness of the information interventions is tested using an individ- ually randomized controlled trial with a 2x2 factorial design. However, such interventions are prone to spillovers, and there are indications that control farmers might have learned about seed selection, storage and handling through their proximity to, or contacts with, farmers in the treatment group. Therefore, we explicitly model spillovers ex post using a randomization-based framework and use both farmers' GPS locations as well as survey data on actual interactions between treatment and control farmers to dene the social networks through which information travels. After accounting for spillovers, we nd evidence that especially the video containing information on seed selection translated into a higher awareness and adoption of recommended practices, a higher probability of using improved inputs as well as higher consumption.

Keywords: Video; extension; potato; Uganda; spillovers; seed quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev
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Working Paper: Spoiler alert! Spillovers in the context of a video intervention to maintain seed quality among Ugandan potato farmers (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:lic:licosd:40718

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