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Does training location matter? Evidence from a randomised field experiment in rural Indonesia

Crawford School of Public Policy | Arndt-Corden Department of Economics

Event details

ACDE Seminar

Date & time

Tuesday 12 November 2019
2.00pm–3.30pm

Venue

Miller Theatre, #132 Crawford Building, Lennox Crossing, The ANU

Speaker

Ayu Pratiwi, School of Economics, University of Turku, Finland

Contacts

Ross McLeod, Seminar Convener, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics

Informal networks help disseminate agricultural knowledge in rural areas, but how formal training and informal networks interact to promote technology adoption is still under-studied. The study examines the effects of training location on the adoption of agricultural techniques via strengthened informal and formal social networks by administering identical training either in farmers’ home locations or in more distant locations. Then it examines locational heterogeneity effects on conservation and plant rehabilitation techniques, along with social network variables relating to formal extension services, informal networks, and interaction between participants and non-participants. Only farmers trained in distant locations increase the size and depth of social networks among their peers, extension experts and non-participants upon returning from training. These changes encourage them to adopt new techniques. While formal training is important for knowledge diffusion, informal networks are the key to successful adoption, and these networks are strengthened by training undertaken in distant locations.

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