Search our database of 1,200+ summaries of randomized evaluations conducted by our affiliates in 97 countries. To browse key policy recommendations from a subset of these evaluations, visit the Policy Publications tab above.

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maize being run through a mill

Connecting Smallholder Farmers to Agricultural Value Chains in Rwanda

Shilpa Aggarwal
Susan Godlonton
Jon Robinson
Alan Spearot
Guanghong Xu
Researchers are evaluating the effects of providing farmers with access to maize processing services that could improve maize quality on their input decisions.
farmer holding peanuts

Cash Transfers and Management Advice for Farmers in Senegal

Kate Ambler
Alan de Brauw
Susan Godlonton
In Senegal, researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to study the effect of providing management advice and a one-time cash transfer on agricultural productivity and farmers’ investment in their businesses. Receiving both the cash transfer and management advice had positive impacts on yields...
Screening of a video during agricultural extension session.

Video-Based and In-person Extension Services to Increase Agricultural Technology Adoption in Ethiopia

Adrien Bouguen
Markus Frölich
Denise Hörner
Meike Wollni
Researchers randomly evaluated the effects of a decentralized extension program and an additional video-based information campaign on farmers’ adoption of a package of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies as well as individual practices in Ethiopia. They found that both in-person...
Flood-tolerant rice growing in Odisha, India

Diffusing New Seeds through Social Networks in Indian Village Economies

Kyle Emerick
The researcher conducted a randomization in rural Odisha in India, by comparing adoption of a new seed variety through farmer-to-farmer networks in one half as benchmarked by door-to-door sales of the same seed. Trading between farmers leads to substantial under-adoption of agricultural technology...
farmer holding rice crop

The Impact of Demonstration Plots on Adoption of New Rice Varieties in Bangladesh

Manzoor H. Dar
Kyle Emerick
Alain de Janvry
Erin Kelley
Elisabeth Sadoulet
In Bangladesh, researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to test whether helping selected farmers set up demonstration plots could increase awareness in the community about a new rice variety by triggering information exchanges through new interactions. Demonstration plots comparing new versus...
Agro-dealers carry out training

The Impact of Agro-dealer Training on Input Adoption and Productivity Among Smallholder Farmers in Niger

Adam Mamadou
Robert Osei
Isaac Osei-Akoto
In Niger, researchers evaluated the impact of a training program for input distributors (agro-dealers) on smallholder access to and use of agricultural inputs. Researchers found that trainings for agro-dealers combined with a demonstration plot increased the share of farmers adopting improved seeds...
A farmer uses a drum seeder in India.

Leveraging Local Governments to Support Rice Mechanization in India

Steven Brownstone
Working with local government leaders and agricultural extension agents, the researcher is conducting a randomized evaluation to test the impact of promoting a mechanization technology. Uniquely, the researcher will closely track how employment shifts for women who formerly did the mechanized work.
Peanut farmer holding their crop

Credit, Uncertainty, and Monitoring for Technology Adoption

Tanguy Bernard
Josh Deutschmann
Ouambi Yameogo
In Senegal, researchers are testing a new contract arrangement between farmers and cooperatives that includes credit, training, and a price premium for certified low-aflatoxin groundnuts on farmers’ decisions to adopt Aflasafe, aflatoxin levels, and output sales.