With this project, we aim to make several contributions. 

First, only few studies have differentiated between initial and longer-term adoption. We aim to add to these few studies with an explicit focus on repeated interventions and longer-term adoption in contrast to just experimentation. Most existing studies evaluated the impact of agricultural extension only once a short time after the intervention took place. While short-term effects can be informative, understanding the true effect of information provision requires a better understanding of its longer-term consequences. Moreover, research is still scarce when it comes to the effect of repeated information provision. With our novel focus on longer-term adoption patterns, we cannot only identify late adopters, but also the response to repeated interventions.

Second, evidence on the causal effect of adopting organic farming remains limited, in particular in developing and emerging countries. Many existing studies do not control for possible selection bias. Yet, if more talented, richer or more motivated farmers tend to self-select into organic farming, a comparison between organic and conventional farmers is misleading. In contrast to many previous studies that were concerned with organic farming, the randomized design in this project allows to analyze the causal effect with respect to adoption and the implied welfare effects.

Third, the project is designed to contribute to the growing literature on the potential of low-cost digital technologies to provide individualized farm-relevant information to smallholders in developing and emerging countries. In this project, training is combined with soil tests based on a low-cost digital App. Customized soil information could be particularly relevant for sustainable farming methods as these are typically more knowledge intensive.

See also: DFG, Digital Research Magazine.