Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy

We evaluate a large-scale model of agricultural advisory services, known as Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or Farm Science Centers, introduced by the Government of India to facilitate smallholder adoption of new agricultural technologies. The study first evaluates the impact of frontline demonstrations...

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Main Authors: Varshney, Deepak, Joshi, Pramod K., Kumar, Anjani, Mishra, Ashok K., Dubey, S. K.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Elsevier 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/121992
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author Varshney, Deepak
Joshi, Pramod K.
Kumar, Anjani
Mishra, Ashok K.
Dubey, S. K.
author_browse Dubey, S. K.
Joshi, Pramod K.
Kumar, Anjani
Mishra, Ashok K.
Varshney, Deepak
author_facet Varshney, Deepak
Joshi, Pramod K.
Kumar, Anjani
Mishra, Ashok K.
Dubey, S. K.
author_sort Varshney, Deepak
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description We evaluate a large-scale model of agricultural advisory services, known as Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or Farm Science Centers, introduced by the Government of India to facilitate smallholder adoption of new agricultural technologies. The study first evaluates the impact of frontline demonstrations and capacity-building programs conducted by KVKs and aimed at promoting a new wheat variety (HD2967); it then examines gains in the speed of diffusion at the district level. The study’s second objective is to estimate the spillover effects of KVKs through social networks. The study identifies network beneficiaries based on a ‘‘networks within sample” approach. The study uses a matched difference-indifferences approach and sample of 1496 wheat farmers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The finding shows that frontline demonstrations and capacity-building programs positively impact the adoption of HD-2967. The magnitude of the impacts is larger for KVK beneficiaries, but substantial gains also arise for network beneficiaries. The study underscores the importance of frequently conducting interventions to influence adoption on aggregate at the district level. From a policy perspective, the study offers new insights for strengthening outreach and extension services designed to facilitate the transfer of agricultural knowledge and information, emphasizing frontline demonstrations, capacity-building programs, and spillovers in extending the scope of KVKs.
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spelling CGSpace1219922025-10-26T13:01:55Z Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy Varshney, Deepak Joshi, Pramod K. Kumar, Anjani Mishra, Ashok K. Dubey, S. K. agricultural technology information transfer advisory services training capacity development smallholders farmers social networks wheat development diffusion frontline demonstrations uttar pradesh policies technology agriculture varieties innovation adoption knowledge We evaluate a large-scale model of agricultural advisory services, known as Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or Farm Science Centers, introduced by the Government of India to facilitate smallholder adoption of new agricultural technologies. The study first evaluates the impact of frontline demonstrations and capacity-building programs conducted by KVKs and aimed at promoting a new wheat variety (HD2967); it then examines gains in the speed of diffusion at the district level. The study’s second objective is to estimate the spillover effects of KVKs through social networks. The study identifies network beneficiaries based on a ‘‘networks within sample” approach. The study uses a matched difference-indifferences approach and sample of 1496 wheat farmers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The finding shows that frontline demonstrations and capacity-building programs positively impact the adoption of HD-2967. The magnitude of the impacts is larger for KVK beneficiaries, but substantial gains also arise for network beneficiaries. The study underscores the importance of frequently conducting interventions to influence adoption on aggregate at the district level. From a policy perspective, the study offers new insights for strengthening outreach and extension services designed to facilitate the transfer of agricultural knowledge and information, emphasizing frontline demonstrations, capacity-building programs, and spillovers in extending the scope of KVKs. 2022-12 2022-09-30T22:36:55Z 2022-09-30T22:36:55Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/121992 en Open Access Elsevier Varshney, Deepak; Joshi, P. K.; Kumar, A.; Mishra, A. K.; Dubey, S. K. 2022. Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy. World Development, 160:106067. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2022.106067]
spellingShingle agricultural technology
information transfer
advisory services
training
capacity development
smallholders
farmers
social networks
wheat
development
diffusion
frontline demonstrations
uttar pradesh
policies
technology
agriculture
varieties
innovation adoption
knowledge
Varshney, Deepak
Joshi, Pramod K.
Kumar, Anjani
Mishra, Ashok K.
Dubey, S. K.
Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy
title Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy
title_full Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy
title_fullStr Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy
title_full_unstemmed Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy
title_short Examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in India: direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy
title_sort examining the transfer of knowledge and training to smallholders in india direct and spillover effects of agricultural advisory services in an emerging economy
topic agricultural technology
information transfer
advisory services
training
capacity development
smallholders
farmers
social networks
wheat
development
diffusion
frontline demonstrations
uttar pradesh
policies
technology
agriculture
varieties
innovation adoption
knowledge
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/121992
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