Communicating with farmers through social networks

Arbeitspapier

Low adoption of productive agricultural technologies is a puzzle. Agricultural extension services rely on external agents to communicate with farmers, although social networks are known to be the most credible source of information about new technologies. We conduct a large-scale field experiment on communication strategies in which extension workers are partnered with different members of social networks. We show that communicator actions and effort are susceptible to small performance incentives, and adoption rates vary by communicator type. Communicators who face conditions most comparable to target farmers are the most persuasive. Incorporating communication dynamics can enrich the literature on social learning.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Economic Growth Center Discussion Paper ; No. 1030

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes ; Economic Development: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Other Primary Products ; Agricultural R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
• Subject: Social learning ; Agriculture ; Technology Adoption ; Malawi

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Benyishay, Ariel ; Mobarak, A. Mushfiq
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Yale University, Economic Growth Center
• (where): New Haven, CT
• (when): 2013

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/98213
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET