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How experimental research in agriculture has gone from lab to field

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  • de Janvry, Alain
  • Sadoulet, Elisabeth

Abstract

Agriculture has a long tradition of randomized experiments in the research station and of comparative demonstration plots under scientist control. The BDK Nobelists have pioneered randomized field experiments under agency control to fight global poverty, thus making behavior, contextual circumstances, and institutional constraints key determinants of outcomes. In agriculture, experimentation has massively responded in jumping the fence from lab to field, with already major advances as to how to better use agriculture for development. We document how this has happened and how the methodology of field experiments has to be adapted to perform in the challenging context of developing country agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • de Janvry, Alain & Sadoulet, Elisabeth, 2020. "How experimental research in agriculture has gone from lab to field," Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley, Working Paper Series qt2xb9r9pf, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:agrebk:qt2xb9r9pf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Esther Duflo & Michael Kremer & Jonathan Robinson, 2011. "Nudging Farmers to Use Fertilizer: Theory and Experimental Evidence from Kenya," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 101(6), pages 2350-2390, October.
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    6. Carter, Michael R. & Cheng, Lan & Sarris, Alexandros, 2016. "Where and how index insurance can boost the adoption of improved agricultural technologies," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 59-71.
    7. Tanguy Bernard & Alain de Janvry & Samba Mbaye & Elisabeth Sadoulet, 2017. "Expected Product Market Reforms and Technology Adoption by Senegalese Onion Producers," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 99(4), pages 1096-1115.
    8. Ariel BenYishay & A Mushfiq Mobarak, 2019. "Social Learning and Incentives for Experimentation and Communication," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 86(3), pages 976-1009.
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    Keywords

    Development Studies; Human Society; Zero Hunger; Economics; Studies in Human Society; Human society;
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