Can information help reduce imbalanced application of fertilisers in India: Experimental evidence from Bihar

The imbalanced application of different types of chemical fertilisers in agriculture is a widespread problem in India. This imbalance affects soil fertility, crop productivity and farmers’ net profits, and results in widespread pollution of water resources. In this context, the Government of India h...

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Autores principales: Fishman, Ram, Kishore, Avinash, Rothler, Yoav, Ward, Patrick S., Singh, R. K. P., Jha, Shankar
Formato: Brief
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Growth Centre 2019
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/146535
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author Fishman, Ram
Kishore, Avinash
Rothler, Yoav
Ward, Patrick S.
Singh, R. K. P.
Jha, Shankar
author_browse Fishman, Ram
Jha, Shankar
Kishore, Avinash
Rothler, Yoav
Singh, R. K. P.
Ward, Patrick S.
author_facet Fishman, Ram
Kishore, Avinash
Rothler, Yoav
Ward, Patrick S.
Singh, R. K. P.
Jha, Shankar
author_sort Fishman, Ram
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The imbalanced application of different types of chemical fertilisers in agriculture is a widespread problem in India. This imbalance affects soil fertility, crop productivity and farmers’ net profits, and results in widespread pollution of water resources. In this context, the Government of India has launched the Soil Health Cards (SHC) programme to promote the balanced use of fertilisers in agriculture throughout India. More than 140 million SHCs are expected to be issued for 3 years to cover all plots and farmers in India. The programme aims to provide custom scientific information, which will encourage farmers to opt for a more balanced use of fertilisers. Under this programme, all farmers in India will receive the details over the nutritional status of their land and crop-wise yield specific recommendations for the application of different fertilisers. States like Gujarat have already implemented a similar programme where farmers received crop-specific fertiliser application recommendations for all plots of land with plot-level SHC information posted on the website. On the other hand, Bihar remains a laggard state in issuing SHC to its farmers. However, this programme is based on certain implicit assumptions. First, it assumes that smallholder farmers, many of whom are illiterate, will be able to understand the contents of SHC. Second, even if farmers understand the content, the assumption is that they will trust the quality and reliability of the information. Third, farmers will alter their preferred use of fertilisers based on the information of the SHC. Finally, the farmers will be able to act on their altered preference without being constrained by other factors that may affect their choices.
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spelling CGSpace1465352025-12-08T10:06:44Z Can information help reduce imbalanced application of fertilisers in India: Experimental evidence from Bihar Fishman, Ram Kishore, Avinash Rothler, Yoav Ward, Patrick S. Singh, R. K. P. Jha, Shankar fertilizers agricultural extension farmers randomized controlled trials agriculture smallholders soil quality information The imbalanced application of different types of chemical fertilisers in agriculture is a widespread problem in India. This imbalance affects soil fertility, crop productivity and farmers’ net profits, and results in widespread pollution of water resources. In this context, the Government of India has launched the Soil Health Cards (SHC) programme to promote the balanced use of fertilisers in agriculture throughout India. More than 140 million SHCs are expected to be issued for 3 years to cover all plots and farmers in India. The programme aims to provide custom scientific information, which will encourage farmers to opt for a more balanced use of fertilisers. Under this programme, all farmers in India will receive the details over the nutritional status of their land and crop-wise yield specific recommendations for the application of different fertilisers. States like Gujarat have already implemented a similar programme where farmers received crop-specific fertiliser application recommendations for all plots of land with plot-level SHC information posted on the website. On the other hand, Bihar remains a laggard state in issuing SHC to its farmers. However, this programme is based on certain implicit assumptions. First, it assumes that smallholder farmers, many of whom are illiterate, will be able to understand the contents of SHC. Second, even if farmers understand the content, the assumption is that they will trust the quality and reliability of the information. Third, farmers will alter their preferred use of fertilisers based on the information of the SHC. Finally, the farmers will be able to act on their altered preference without being constrained by other factors that may affect their choices. 2019-11-12 2024-06-21T09:07:25Z 2024-06-21T09:07:25Z Brief https://hdl.handle.net/10568/146535 en https://hdl.handle.net/10568/146418 https://hdl.handle.net/10568/150122 https://hdl.handle.net/10568/154765 Open Access International Growth Centre Fishman, Ram; Kishore, Avinash; Rothler, Yoav; Ward, Patrick S.; Singh, R. K. P.; and Jha, Shankar. 2019. Can information help reduce imbalanced application of fertilisers in India: Experimental evidence from Bihar. International Growth Centre Policy Brief 34104. https://www.theigc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Fishman-et-al-Policy-Brief-2019.pdf
spellingShingle fertilizers
agricultural extension
farmers
randomized controlled trials
agriculture
smallholders
soil quality
information
Fishman, Ram
Kishore, Avinash
Rothler, Yoav
Ward, Patrick S.
Singh, R. K. P.
Jha, Shankar
Can information help reduce imbalanced application of fertilisers in India: Experimental evidence from Bihar
title Can information help reduce imbalanced application of fertilisers in India: Experimental evidence from Bihar
title_full Can information help reduce imbalanced application of fertilisers in India: Experimental evidence from Bihar
title_fullStr Can information help reduce imbalanced application of fertilisers in India: Experimental evidence from Bihar
title_full_unstemmed Can information help reduce imbalanced application of fertilisers in India: Experimental evidence from Bihar
title_short Can information help reduce imbalanced application of fertilisers in India: Experimental evidence from Bihar
title_sort can information help reduce imbalanced application of fertilisers in india experimental evidence from bihar
topic fertilizers
agricultural extension
farmers
randomized controlled trials
agriculture
smallholders
soil quality
information
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/146535
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