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    Underground knowledge: estimating the impacts of soil information transfers through experimental auctions

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    Journal Article (1.397Mb)
    Date
    2020-10-06
    Author
    Murphy, D.M.
    Roobroeck, D.
    Lee, D.R.
    Thies, J.
    Type
    Journal Article
    Review Status
    Peer Review
    Target Audience
    Scientists
    Metadata
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    Abstract/Description
    Soil degradation, a serious environmental problem in many developing countries, often necessitates the use of fertilizers to improve crop yields. However, smallholders usually do not have sufficient information about their soil nutrient levels to make profit‐maximizing decisions about fertilizer usage. We conducted two‐round experimental auctions to determine whether providing information and fertilizer recommendations from inexpensive soil testing kits to farmers in western Kenya affected their behavior and ability to optimize their input choices. We auctioned organic and inorganic agricultural inputs, dividing farmers into information treatments, and analyzed the data using double and triple difference estimations. We find that providing soil information has significant effects on farmers' willingness to pay for inputs. We then use Monte Carlo simulations to show that there is potential for high net benefits to farmers from individualized soil tests. These results suggest that soil testing can be a cost‐effective method to increase food security in the region.
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajae.12101
    Multi standard citation
    Permanent link to this item
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/7623
    IITA Authors ORCID
    Dries Roobroeckhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3176-4444
    Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajae.12101
    Research Themes
    Natural Resource Management
    IITA Subjects
    Gender; Soil Fertility; Soil Health; Soil Information
    Agrovoc Terms
    Africa; Fertilizers; Gender; Organic Fertilizers; Soil Fertility; Soil Analysis
    Regions
    Africa; East Africa
    Countries
    Kenya
    Hubs
    Central Africa Hub
    Journals
    American Journal of Agricultural Economics
    Collections
    • Journal and Journal Articles4835
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