Agricultural productivity fluctuates depending upon access to credit, technology, weather and the farmer’s knowledge. With information been delivered to farmers via mobile phones, agricultural experts don’t need to visit farms. But does providing advice over phones encourage farmers to adopt those practices? A study by Shawn Allen Cole and A Nilesh Fernando evaluates the effect of Avaaj Otalo, a mobile-phone based agricultural consulting service in Gujarat. They found that within seven months, 60% of the 200 cotton farmers reviewed have followed the advice. 

 

Title: The Value of Advice: Evidence from Mobile Phone-Based Agricultural Extension

Source: Social Science Research Network