Learning about a New Technology: Pineapple in Ghana

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Conley, Timothy G.; Udry, Christopher R.
• 署名单位: University of Chicago; Yale University
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0002-8282
• DOI: 10.1257/aer.100.1.35
• 发表日期: 2010
• 页码: 35-69
• 关键词: innovation; diffusion; extension; adoption; GROWTH; IMPACT; MODEL

摘要

This paper investigates the role of social learning in the diffusion of a new agricultural technology in Ghana. We use unique data on farmers' communication patterns to define each individual's information neighborhood. Conditional on many potentially confounding variables, we find evidence that farmers adjust their inputs to align with those of their information neighbors who were surprisingly successful in previous periods. The relationship of these input adjustments to experience further indicates the presence of social learning. In addition, applying the same method to input choices for another crop, of known technology, correctly indicates an absence of social learning effects.