Using contextual interventions to reduce chemical fertilizers among Ghanaian smallholder farmers

Keywords: Ghana, behavioral interventions, commitment device, soil organic matter, smallholder farmers, cognitive bias
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 15

Abstract

Many soils in sub-Saharan Africa are low in nutrients, which contributes to low crop yields. Despite low soil fertility, many smallholder and commercial farmers do not apply additional nutrients to improve fertility. Several studies have found that most farmers plan to apply fertilizers to their soils but do not follow through with these intentions because of the unexpected challenges associated with aligning their future selves with their intended behavior. Farmers who apply nutrients to their soils mostly depend on inorganic chemical fertilizers. However, inorganic fertilizers are limited in their effectiveness when soil organic matter (SOM) is low, which is common among smallholder farmers. An alternative approach would be to use compost to provide nutrients and improve SOM and is available in urban areas from the large volume of food waste coming out of open-air markets. We test whether applying behavioral interventions among smallholder farmers in Ghana will assist them to be committed to their future plans and to apply compost to increase the SOM, and reduce the use of inorganic chemical fertilizers. This research will be conducted among three groups of farmers, with each group receiving behavioral interventions related to compost adoption, which have been found to be effective in other contexts. We expect the group of farmers who receive interventions about changing social norms and commitment devices will apply higher levels of compost and lower levels of inorganic fertilizers than farmers who do not receive an intervention.