Speaker(s)
Farmers in SSA are observed to stick with well-known maize varieties they have grown for years even when newer, better adapted, and more promising varieties are available. In this webinar, Michael Ndegwa and Sarah Kariuki will present three randomized controlled trials that test different methods of encouraging farmers to switch to newer varieties.
The first study evaluates alternative ways of encouraging experimentation with new maize varieties through trial pack campaigns to facilitate cluster level social learning and information spillovers from trial hosts to fellow villagers.
The second study tests the role of drawing farmers’ attention to and encouraging experimentation with newer varieties during seed purchase through information and price promotions at the Point-of-Sale (POS).
The third study tests whether economic incentives (margin discounts) can motivate input suppliers to stock and push newer varieties to farmers.