Can Agricultural Extension and Input Support Be Discontinued? Evidence from a Randomized Phaseout in Uganda

A-Tier
Journal: Review of Economics and Statistics
Year: 2022
Volume: 104
Issue: 6
Pages: 1273-1288

Authors (4)

Ram Fishman (not in RePEc) Stephen C. Smith (George Washington University) Vida Bobic (not in RePEc) Munshi Sulaiman (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Many development programs that attempt to disseminate improved technologies are limited in duration because of external funding constraints or an assumption of impact sustainability, but there is limited evidence on whether and when terminating such programs is efficient. We provide novel experimental evidence on the impacts of a randomized phaseout of an agricultural extension and subsidy program that promotes improved inputs and cultivation practices among smallholder women farmers in Uganda. We find that phaseout does not diminish the use of either practices or inputs as farmers shift purchases from NGO-sponsored village-based supply networks to market sources. These results indicate that short-term interventions can suffice to trigger persistent effects, consistent with models of technology adoption that emphasize learning from experience.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:tpr:restat:v:104:y:2022:i:6:p:1273-1288
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-29