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General

Study Overview

Title:

Assessing the Impact of Farmer Field Schools on Excess Fertilizer Use in China

Study is 3ie funded:

Yes

Study ID:

RIDIE-STUDY-ID-52e18585d157f

Initial Registration Date:

01/23/2014

Last Update Date:

01/21/2014

Study Status:

Ongoing

Location(s):

China

Abstract:

In China, a major agricultural challenge is the inefficient use of fertilizer and the environmental effects associated with its overuse. The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is addressing this problem by instituting farmer field schools (FFS). FFS at the village level includes hands-on, farmer-managed learning on experimental plots during a single crop-growing season. The goal of the FFS is to empower FFS graduates with skills in crop management, especially the appropriate use of fertilizer. We conduct a randomized control trial (RCT) to evaluate the initial rollout of the program in multiple counties across two provinces, Anhui and Hebei, where we focus on rice growers and tomato growers, respectively. The overall objective is to exam if participation in the FFS reduces the distance from the agronomists-determined optimal Nitrogen fertilizer usage.

Registration Citation:

Krishna, K., 2014. Assessing the Impact of Farmer Field Schools on Excess Fertilizer Use in China. Registry for International Development for Impact Evaluations (RIDIE). Available at: 10.23846/ridie017

Categories:

Agriculture and Rural Development

Additional Keywords:

Fertilizer; Environment management; RCT; Sustainable development

Secondary ID Number(s):

Principal Investigator(s)

Name of First PI:

Krishna Kumar

Affiliation:

Rand Corporation

Name of Second PI:

Affiliation:

Study Sponsor

Name:

International Initiative for Impact Evaluation

Study Sponsor Location:

India

Research Partner

Name of Partner Institution:

Chinese Center for Agricultural Policy (CCAP)

Type of Organization:

Research institute/University

Location:

China

Intervention

Intervention Overview

Intervention:

Working with the MoA, we selected one extension agent for every one or two treatment villages. These extension agents were trained before the intervention on the unified course content. Throughout the entire crop season, they disseminated low carbon farming practices to the villager farmers who are in the treatment group through lecture, field experiment, as well as interactive communication. To provide effective training that is targeted at local needs and conditions, the FFS curriculum was designed based on soil tests and fieldwork conducted by agricultural experts before the intervention and experiment began. In Anhui province, one of the main training goals for fertilizer was to adjust the total amount of N fertilizer application to 165-180 kg/ha, which is considered optimal by agronomists for “normal” weather. In Hebei Province, guidance for tomato growers included recommendations for organic fertilizer use (typically cow manure) and chemical (manufactured) fertilizer.

Theory of Change:

Multiple Treatment Arms Evaluated?

No

Implementing Agency

Name of Organization:

CCAP

Type of Organization:

Research Institution/University

Program Funder

Name of Organization:

Ministry of Agriculture in China

Type of Organization:

Public Sector, e.g. Government Agency or Ministry

Intervention Timing

Intervention or Program Started at time of Registration?

Yes

Start Date:

04/01/2012

End Date:

06/01/2013

Evaluation Method

Evaluation Method Overview

Primary (or First) Evaluation Method:

Randomized control trial

Other (not Listed) Method:

Additional Evaluation Method (If Any):

Other (not Listed) Method:

Method Details

Details of Evaluation Approach:

We randomly selected 56 villages in Anhui province, assigning 28 villages into the treatment group (to received FFS training) and 28 into the control group. In Hebei province, we selected 36 villages and assigned 18 village to the two treatment and control groups. In each village we randomly surveyed 15 farmers, and in treatment villages, 10 farmers were randomly selected to be “exposed” farmers to study spillover effects. Hence, we have the total sample of 1120 farmers in Anhui and 720 farmers in Hebei. We collected pre- and post-intervention data on a range of relevant outcomes. Since fertilizer usage is highly heterogeneous among farmers, a direct comparison of averages between the treatment and control groups masks one of the main expected contributions of the FFS, which is to educate the farmers about optimal fertilizer usage. Hence, we will employ comparison of absolute distance from optimal fertilizer use and quintile regression analysis method.

Outcomes (Endpoints):

distance of fertilizer use from the recommended optimal fertilizer use; improved farming knowledge scores; yield

Unit of Analysis:

household

Hypotheses:

Unit of Intervention or Assignment:

household

Number of Clusters in Sample:

In Anhui, there are 56 villages; in Hebei, 36 villages.

Number of Individuals in Sample:

1120 households in Anhui and 720 households in Hebei

Size of Treatment, Control, or Comparison Subsamples:

In Anhui: 420 farmers in treatment and control group, respectively; 280 farmers in exposed group. In Hebei, 270 farmers in treatment and control group, respectively; 180 farmers in exposed group.

Supplementary Files

Analysis Plan:

Other Documents:

Data

Outcomes Data

Description:

A baseline household survey followed by an endline household survey. A village level survey was conducted as well for matching process to create balanced treatment and control groups.

Data Already Collected?

Yes

Data Previously Used?

No

Data Access:

Not restricted - access with no requirements or minimal requirements (e.g. web registration)

Data Obtained by the Study Researchers?

Yes

Data Approval Process:

Approval Status:

Treatment Assignment Data

Participation or Assignment Information:

Yes

Description:

Data Obtained by the Study Researchers?

Data Previously Used?

Data Access:

Data Obtained by the Study Researchers?

Data Approval Process:

Approval Status:

Data Analysis

Data Analysis Status:

Yes

Study Materials

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Registration Category

Registration Category:

Non-Prospective, Category 4: Data for measuring impacts have been obtained/collected by the research team and analysis for this evaluation has started

Completion

Completion Overview

Intervention Completion Date:

Data Collection Completion Date:

Unit of Analysis:

Clusters in Final Sample:

Total Observations in Final Sample:

Size of Treatment, Control, or Comparison Subsamples:

Findings

Preliminary Report:

Preliminary Report URL:

Summary of Findings:

Paper:

Paper Summary:

Paper Citation:

Data Availability

Data Availability (Primary Data):

Date of Data Availability:

Data URL or Contact:

Access procedure:

Other Materials

Survey:

Survey Instrument Links or Contact:

Program Files:

Program Files Links or Contact:

External Link:

External Link Description:

Description of Changes:

Study Stopped

Date:

Reason: