Transforming Rural Africa Conference

Christopher B. Barrett, Michael Carter, Abebe Shimeles, Tavneet Suri, Christopher R. Udry, and Hanan Morsy, Organizers

February 28 - March 1, 2019

Royal Sonesta Hotel, 40 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge, MA

Conference Code of Conduct

Thursday, February 28
8:00 am
Coffee and Pastries
8:30 am
Session I
Chair: Dr. Hanan Morsy, African Development Bank
Joshua Deutschmann, University of Chicago
Maya Duru, The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab
Kim Siegal, One Acre Fund
Emilia Tjernström, Monash University

Information, Credit, and Inputs: the Impacts and Mechanisms of a Program to Raise Smallholder Productivity
Discussant: Leah Bevis, Ohio State University
Kibrom A. Abay, International Food Policy Research Institute
Leah Bevis, Ohio State University
Christopher B. Barrett, Cornell University

Measurement Error Mechanisms Matter: Agricultural Intensification with Farmer Misperceptions and Misreporting
Discussant: Emilia Tjernström, Monash University
10:30 am
Break
11:00 am
Session II
Chair: Tavneet Suri, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and NBER
Rute Martins Caeiro, Nova School of Business and Economics and NOVAFRICA

From Learning to Doing: Diffusion of Agricultural Innovations in Guinea-Bissau
Discussant: Rachid Laajaj, University of Los Andes
Michael Carter, University of California, Davis and NBER
Rachid Laajaj, University of Los Andes
Dean Yang, University of Michigan and NBER

Temporary Subsidies and the Adoption of Green Revolution Technologies by Mozambican Farmers and Their Social Networks
Discussant: Rute Martins Caeiro, Nova School of Business and Economics and NOVAFRICA
1:00 pm
Lunch
2:30 pm
Session III
Chair: Michael Carter, University of California, Davis and NBER
Denise Hörner, University of Goettingen
Bouguen Adrien, Santa Clara University
Markus Frolich, University of Mannheim
Meike Wollni, University of Goettingen

The Effects of Decentralized and Video-based Extension on the Adoption of Integrated Soil Fertility Management – Experimental Evidence from Ethiopia
Discussant: Shilpa Aggarwal, Indian School of Business
Shilpa Aggarwal, Indian School of Business
Brian J. Giera, Amazon Research
Dahyeon Jeong, World Bank
Jonathan Robinson, University of California, Santa Cruz and NBER
Alan Spearot, University of California at Santa Cruz

Market Access, Trade Costs, and Technology Adoption: Evidence from Northern Tanzania
Discussant: Denise Hörner, University of Goettingen
4:30 pm
Adjourn
6:30 pm
Conference Reception, location TBA
Friday, March 1
8:00 am
Coffee and Pastries
8:30 am
Session IV
Dr. Abebe Shimeles, African Development Bank
Tilman Graff, Harvard University

Spatial Inefficiencies in Africa’s Trade Network
Discussant: Ameet Morjaria, Northwestern University and NBER
Ameet Morjaria, Northwestern University and NBER
Richard Merton Peck, Northwestern University

Entry, Growth, and Exit: Theory and Evidence from Ethiopia's Cut-Flower Exporters
Discussant: Tilman Graff, Harvard University
10:30 am
Break
11:00 am
Session V
Christopher Barrett, Cornell University
Fo Kodjo Dzinyefa Aflagah, University of Maryland
Tanguy Bernard, GREThA, University of Bordeaux, and International Food Policy Research
Angelino Viceisza, Spelman College and NBER

Cheap Talk and Coordination in the Lab and in the Field: Collective Commercialization in Senegal
Discussant: Jeffrey D. Michler, University of Arizona
Aminou Arouna, AfricaRice
Jeffrey D. Michler, University of Arizona
Jourdain Lokossou, ICRISAT

Contract Farming and Rural Transformation: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Benin
Discussant: Fo Kodjo Dzinyefa Aflagah, University of Maryland
1:00 pm
Lunch
2:30 pm
Session VI
Christopher R. Udry, Northwestern University and NBER
Esther Delesalle, IRES UCLouvain

The Impact of the Universal Primary Education Program on Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from Tanzania
Discussant: Edward Asiedu, University of Ghana/Universityn of Passau
Toyin Samuel Olowogbon, University of Ilorin
Raphael O. Babatunde, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Edward Asiedu, University of Ghana/Universityn of Passau

How Can Inclusive Agricultural Health Policy Intervention Promote Shared Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria? Evidence from Randomized Control Trial (slides)
Discussant: Esther Delesalle, IRES UCLouvain
4:30 pm
Adjourn
Meeting format: 35 minutes for presenters, 5 minutes for discussants, 20 minutes general discussion