Mobilizing P2P Diffusion for New Agricultural Practices: Experimental Evidence from Bangladesh

Abstract This paper uses a randomized controlled experiment in which farmers trained on new rice cultivation method teach two other farmers. The results show that the intervention increases yields and farm profits among treated Teacher-trainees are effective at spreading knowledge inducing adoption relative to just training. Incentivizing teacher-trainees improves transmission but not adoption. Matching with who list them as role models does improve may hurt Using mediation analysis, study finds of teacher-trainee is correlated their students, consistent transmission. also systems intensification (SRI) predicts some SRI practices, by suggesting students follow example teacher. With cost-benefit estimates social returns excess 100 percent, explicitly mobilizing peer-to-peer (P2P) seems cost-effective way profitable agricultural practices.