APPLICATIONS OF ADOPTION AND DIFFUSION MODELS IN AGRICULTURE, HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROJECTS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0233294
• Project Start Date: Mar 1, 2013
• Project End Date: Feb 28, 2018
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824

Performing Department
Agricultural, Food, & Resource Economics

Non Technical Summary
This research project focuses on two themes. The first theme investigates the relationship between agricultural production, health and nutrition. The second theme investigates the role of social networks in models of technology adoption. The objectives of this work are to: 1. Explore applications of agricultural household models and technology adoption models in the context of new agricultural technologies and improved nutrition practices. 2. Improve methodologies for collecting social network data and use improved social network data to help explain the determinants of agricultural technology adoption and health behavior change among rural farmers. The expected outcomes from this work include: 1. 2 journal articles 2. 1 dissemination conference 3. 2 academic presentations while leaving room open for other outcomes depending on the research outcomes. The anticipated benefits of this work is to promote a better understanding of the role of agriculture for health and nutrition and to improve targeting of new agricultural technologies using social networks.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
601	6010	3010	10%
601	6020	3010	10%
601	7310	3010	10%
606	6010	3010	10%
606	6020	3010	10%
606	7310	3010	10%
704	6010	3010	10%
704	6020	3010	10%
704	7310	3010	10%
802	6020	3010	10%

Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management; 704 - Nutrition and Hunger in the Population; 606 - International Trade and Development; 802 - Human Development and Family Well-Being;

Subject Of Investigation
7310 - Experimental design and statistical methods; 6010 - Individuals; 6020 - The family and its members;

Field Of Science
3010 - Economics;

Keywords

agriculture, health, nutrition, social networks, technology adoption,

diffusion

Goals / Objectives
My proposed research program focuses on microeconometric analysis of the canonical non-seperable household model of production and consumption (Singh et al. 1986). Within this theoretical framework, I focus on two research areas: the interaction between agricultural production, health and nutrition; and the role of social networks in models of agricultural technology adoption. My research contributes to a broader set of international research at Michigan State, primarily in West Africa. These two research topics are of importance to AgBioResearch as they directly relate to the research priorities of Food and Health, Enhancing Profitability of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Families and Community Vitality. The first research area contributes to the priority research area of Food and Health as this research focuses either on the effects of illness on agricultural labor productivity or food and nutrition interventions targeted to mothers of children between 0-12 months old. The second research area contributes to understanding how new agricultural technologies might be introduced in communities and the determinants of their diffusion, particularly through social networks, as formal extension services are often unavailable in West African villages. As such this research area directly relates to the research theme, Enhancing Profitability of Agriculture and Natural Resources. As I examine the effects of either health interventions on agricultural labor or technology adoption on farm profitability, both topics measure the effects of these types of interventions on household well-being and poverty. As such, both research areas contribute knowledge for the Families and Community Vitality research priority. OBJECTIVES 1. Explore applications of agricultural household models and technology adoption models in the context of new agricultural technologies and improved nutrition practices. 2. Improve methodologies for collecting social network data and use improved social network data to help explain the determinants of agricultural technology adoption and health behavior change among rural farmers. Expected Outputs 1. 2 journal articles 2. 1 dissemination conference 3. 2 academic presentations

Project Methods
Different research questions and contexts will require varying research methods. In much of my ongoing research, I use field experiments to identify the effects of randomly allocated interventions to resolve problems of statistical identification and attribution as described in Strauss and Thomas (1998) and Herberich et al. (2009). Extensive field work in elaborating the necessary sampling frames and designing context specific questionnaires are integral to the effective implementation of my research program. As such, in research projects in both Mali and Burkina Faso, new research methods to measure social networks through social network censuses have been developed with my co-author and are now being extensively implemented in my other research projects. For example, the new proposal on input intensification and agricultural productivity described above will benefit from the spillover of these innovative new methods for measuring social networks.

Progress 03/01/13 to 02/28/18

Outputs
Target Audience:There were two target audiences reached over the last reporting period. First, there is an academic audeince of agricultural and development economists that was reached through the presentation of current working papers including presentations at the American Agricultural Economics Association meetings and the World Bank. Second, there was an audience of practioners who were reached through a dissemination event with Innovations for Poverty Action in Ghana, a conference at the World Bankand my increased participation in social media onTwitter. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated to academic audiences through presentations, practicioners, policy makers and local researchers through conference participation, and a general audience through Twitter. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Over the past year, I had two journal articles accepted at the American Journal of Agricultural Economics and Journal of Development Economics. I participated in one major outreach conference in Ghana which included Ministry of Agriculture officials, Ghanian and international researchers. Four new manuscripts remains under review.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Beaman, Lori and Andrew Dillon. (2018) Diffusion of Agricultural Information within Social Networks: Evidence from Composting in Mali, Journal of Development Economics, 133: 147-161.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2018 Citation: 1. Dillon, Andrew, Joanne Arsenault, Deanna Olney. (2018) Nutrient Production and Dietary Macro and Micronutrient Gaps: Evidence from an Agriculture-Nutrition Randomized Control Trial, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, forthcoming.

Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:There were two target audiences reached over the last reporting period. First, there is an academic audeince of agricultural and development economists that was reached through the presentation of current working papers including a presentation at Ohio State University. Second, there was an audience of practioners who were reached through a dissemination eventat the United States Agency for International Development and my increased participation in social media on a website blog and Twitter. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?I presented one of the papers prepared this year to an academic audience at the Ohio State University. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?I would like to improve my outreach on social media as well as finalize publication of the articles that I submitted this year.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Over the past year, I have prepared three manuscripts for submission at the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Journal of Development Economics, and Economic Development and Cultural Change. Two of the manuscripts received revise and resubmit requests and were return to the journals, awaiting the editor's decision. One manuscript remains under review.?

Publications

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:There were two target audiences reached over the last reporting period. First, there is an academic audeince of agricultural and development economists that was reached through the presentation of current working papers including a presentation at the University of Georgia. Second, there was an audience of practioners who were reached through a dissemination eventsand policy fora organized for international organizations such as Innovations for Poverty Action, the US Agency for International Develompentand theUS Department of Labor. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Three policy presentations to stakeholder groups were accomplished over the reporting period.Preperation of blog content was also accomplished during the past reporting period which will be launched in October 2016. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?I plan to continue to prepare manuscripts for publication. A large scale conference in Burkina Faso is being organized for stakeholders in December 2016 to build off of previous dissemination efforts. A blog and Twitter accountwill be launched next reporting period to facilitate the dissemination of results.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Three journal articles were published over this period, one academic and three policy related presentations were made. 3 additional articles were completed and submitted to journals for review.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: 1. Olney, Deanna, Lilia Bliznashka, Abdoulaye Pedehombga, Andrew Dillon, Marie T. Ruel, Jessica Heckert*. (2016) Prevalence of thinness decreased and dietary intake and empowerment improved among mothers who participated in a 2-y integrated agriculture and nutrition and health behavior change communication program in Burkina Faso, Journal of Nutrition, 146 (5): 1109-1117. 2. van den Bold, Mara, Andrew Dillon, Deanna Olney, and Agnes Quisumbing. (2015) Can Integrated Agriculture-Nutrition Programs Change Gender Norms on Land and Asset Ownership? Journal of Development Studies, 51 (9): 1155-1174. 3. Dillon, Andrew, Kevin McGee, and Gbemisola Oseni. (2015) Agricultural Production, Dietary Diversity and Climate Variability, Journal of Development Studies, 51 (8): 976-995.

Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:There were two target audiences reached over the last reporting period. First, there is an academic audeince of agricultural and development economists that was reached through the presentation of current working papers. Presentations were given at the following institutions and conferences during the last reporting period: University of Illinois-Champaign, Western Economic Association Meetings, and the Institute for Fiscal Studies (UK) conference "Improving Productivity in Developing Countries" conference. Second,there was an audience of practioners who were reached through a dissemination events and policy fora organized in Burkina Faso in March 2015 anda presentation to Burkinabe professional association of agro-input dealers in November 2014 and February 2015. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A dissemination eventand policy fora organized in Burkina Faso in March 2015 anda presentation to Burkinabe professional association of agro-input dealers in November 2014 and February 2015. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?I plan to continue data analysis to faciliate the preperation of new manuscripts and continue to look for opportunities toengage target audiences.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Two journal articles were published, one dissemination conference was held, two presentations at Burkinabe national professional associations were conducted, and 3 academic presentations were made. 5 other journal articles are being prepared for submission to academic journals over teh period.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Olney, Deanna, Abdoulaye Pedehombga, Marie Ruel, and Andrew Dillon*. (2015) A two year integrated agriculture and nutrition and health behavior change communication program targeted to women in Burkina Faso reduces anemia, wasting and diarrhea in children 3-12.9 mo of age at baseline: A cluster-randomized controlled trial Journal of Nutrition, 145: 1317-1324.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: van den Bold, Mara, Andrew Dillon, Deanna Olney, and Agnes Quisumbing. (2015) Can Integrated Agriculture-Nutrition Programs Change Gender Norms on Land and Asset Ownership? Journal of Development Studies, accepted.

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: There were two target audiences reached over the last reporting period. First, there is an academic audeince of agricultural and development economists that was reached through the presentation of current working papers. Presentations were given at the following institutions and conferences during the last reporting period: UC-Davis, Purdue University, University of Minnesota, Agricultural and Applied Economics Meetings, and the Michigan State University Medical School. Second, there was an audience of practioners who were reached through a dissemination workshop help in Abuja, Nigeria in June 2014, as well as a blog post published online with a research summary at the site: http://theconversation.com/how-malaria-testing-can-get-more-people-back-into-work-32067. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? A dissemination conference was held with members of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture in Nigeria in June 2014. A blog post was published which summarized our results for a general audience. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? I plan to continue data analysis to faciliate the preperation of new manuscripts and continue to look for opportunities to engage target audiences.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? One of the journal articles was published, one dissemination conference was held, and 5 academic presentations were made. 3 other journal articles have been submitted for publication over the past reporting period.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Dillon, Andrew, Kevin McGee, and Gbemisola Oseni. (2014) Agricultural Production, Dietary Diversity and Climate Variability, Journal of Development Studies, forthcoming

Progress 03/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: There were two target audiences reached over the reporting period. First, there is an academic audience of agricultural and development economists that was reached by presentation of current working papers. Second, there was an audience of practitioners from a variety of international organizations including the World Bank and CGIAR system who benefitted from a methodological presentation that I gave this summer as part of the Methods and Standards for Research on Gender and Agriculture workshop hosted by the CGIAR Gender and Agriculture Research Network. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project facilitated interaction with professional organizations (Agricultural and Applied Economics Association) and practitioner and research groups from the CGIAR. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Academic and non-technical presentations to practitioners have been the primary means of disseminating preliminary research results. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? I plan to move the working papers into submitted journal articles and implement new field research projects with the above mentioned research grants.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Three journal articles were drafted and 4 academic presentations (Michigan State University, 2 at Midwest International Economic Development Conference, and the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association) were given over the reporting period. One dissemination conference presentation was given at the CGIAR Gender and Agriculture Research Network workshop to practitioners and developing country researchers. The working papers drafted include one from Mali on the effects of social network characteristics on agricultural information diffusion, one paper on the effects of an agriculture and nutrition program in Burkina Faso, and the third paper on the social network and spillover effects of the program in Burkina Faso. Further, two additional research grants were obtained from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the USAID BASIS research program to facilitate work in Burkina Faso and Nigeria on adoption, diffusion, and nutritional effects of improved agricultural technologies.

Publications