Paying for agricultural information in Malawi: The role of soil heterogeneity

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Berazneva, Julia; Maertens, Annemie; Mhango, Wezi; Michelson, Hope
• 署名单位: Middlebury College; University of Sussex; University of Illinois System; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2023.103144
• 发表日期: 2023
• 关键词: heterogeneity; learning; soils; Public goods game; experiment; Malawi

摘要

We examine the relationship between soil heterogeneity and investment in learning among farmers in Malawi using an experimental approach. Soil heterogeneity may both impede social learning and encourage experimentation. In our experiment, farmers contribute towards the purchase of a single soil test in the village in a threshold public goods game. This soil test provides farmers with valuable and actionable information. By randomly varying the plot selected for soil testing we establish the role of soil heterogeneity. We find that farmers contribute more when they perceive soils to be more similar to their own plot, but also free ride on others whose soils they perceive as similar. This free riding increases in larger groups of farmers with similar soils. Despite this, all villages consistently contribute enough to purchase the soil test.