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The Impact of "Grow to Sell" Agricultural Extension on Smallholder Horticulture Farmers: Evidence from a Market- Oriented Approach in Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Satoshi Shimizutani

    (JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development)

  • Shimpei Taguchi

    (JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development)

  • Eiji Yamada

    (JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development)

  • Hiroyuki Yamada

    (Faculty of Economics, Keio University)

Abstract

This paper evaluates the impact of a market-oriented agricultural extension program called Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) in Kenya. The SHEP approach prioritizes practical training for farmers to act as producers in a market by encouraging decentralized decision-making. Using a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) over a two-year period, we find that, on average, SHEP increased horticultural income significantly by 70% and the positive effect was more pronounced in vulnerable households whose head of household is female, less educated or older. The effect is not relevant to horticultural experience prior to the intervention. Our findings suggest that a market-oriented agricultural extension can provide a pathway to improve the living standards of small-scale farmers through an increase in horticultural income.

Suggested Citation

  • Satoshi Shimizutani & Shimpei Taguchi & Eiji Yamada & Hiroyuki Yamada, 2021. "The Impact of "Grow to Sell" Agricultural Extension on Smallholder Horticulture Farmers: Evidence from a Market- Oriented Approach in Kenya," Keio-IES Discussion Paper Series 2021-020, Institute for Economics Studies, Keio University.
    • Handle: RePEc:keo:dpaper:2021-020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agricultural extension; Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment Promotion (SHEP); Kenya; Randomized controlled trial (RCT); Impact evaluation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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