Impacts of Information Access and Adoption of Soil Fertility and Water Conservation Practices on Smallholder Household Welfare : Experimental Evidence from Uganda

Uganda, like much of Sub-Saharan Africa, depends on rain-fed agriculture with limited input use, making it vulnerable to climate shocks. Rising population pressure, climate change, mainly drought, and the COVID-19 pandemic have worsened food insecurity and poverty, underscoring the need to raise agricultural productivity sustainably. Integrated soil fertility and water conservation practices, such as manure use, mulching, and trenches, can improve crop yields and household welfare while conserving natural resources. However, adoption remains low due to weak extension systems and poor access to information, mostly among women who are central to food production but face greater barriers.

Our study implemented a randomized controlled trial in Uganda’s banana-growing regions to promote these practices using multi-channel communication, namely: radio (audio), video and in-person training (audio-visual), and farmer field days and demos (hands-on). We used intent-to-treat analysis to assess impacts on adoption, empowerment, and welfare outcomes including yields, sales, income, and food security. We used machine learning to explore heterogeneity and treatment-on-the-treated analysis to examine the effectiveness of different communication channels. Resilience was analyzed using the RIMA framework and growth regressions.

Results show significant increases in the adoption of both individual and combined practices, with the combined yielding the greatest welfare gains. Audio-visual and hands-on training had stronger impacts than audio alone. Women’s empowerment notably enhanced adoption. Households with productive assets, credit access, and social networks showed higher resilience, while the campaign helped buffer against pandemic-related shocks. These findings support integrating mass media and practical approaches into extension and promoting women's access to information, land, and credit to improve adoption, welfare, and resilience.

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