Can Peers Improve Agricultural Productivity?

Arbeitspapier

Productivity varies greatly among farmers and the source of that variation is not fully understood. Using a unique Indian household survey, we estimate peer effects on agricultural revenue. Results show that 60% of farmers' revenue is explained by peers. Input expenditures and land allocation to cash crops do not fully explain the variation in revenue, implying peers may also affect management, negotiation and marketing strategies. We verify that endogenous network formation, geography, off-farm opportunities and agricultural extension do not drive our results. Peer effects are strongest for agricultural peers and in the cultivation of a new crop.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: CESifo Working Paper ; No. 4958

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Single Equation Models; Single Variables: Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions ; Network Formation and Analysis: Theory ; Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
• Subject: peer effects ; agricultural productivity ; India ; crop revenue

Contributors, Location and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Songsermsawas, Tisorn ; Baylis, Kathy ; Chhatre, Ashwini ; Michelson, Hope
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo)
• (where): Munich
• (when): 2014

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/102247
• Last update: 20.09.2024, 8:20 AM CEST