Impact of Post Harvest Quality Improvement Training Program on enhancing knowledge, altering production behaviour, and improving the quality of black pepper

Last registered on January 09, 2024
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Impact of Post Harvest Quality Improvement Training Program on enhancing knowledge, altering production behaviour, and improving the quality of black pepper
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0012674
Initial registration date
January 09, 2024

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
January 09, 2024, 1:27 PM EST

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

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Primary Investigator

Name
Samanmalee Amarawansha
Affiliation
University of Hiroshima
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Daisaku GOTO
PI Affiliation
University of Hiroshima
Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2023-12-01
End date
2024-10-31
Keywords
Agriculture, Behavior
Additional Keywords
post harvest training, black pepper, knowledge, quality
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
The spice sector has been recognized as one of the priority sectors in Sri Lanka's National Export Strategy, targeting superior export performance through high-value markets with high quality products. The training program on post-harvest quality improvement of black pepper represents a crucial component of the Post-Harvest Technology Investment Assistant Scheme implemented by the Department of Export Agriculture in Sri Lanka with the objective of product quality enhancement.
Despite significant government investments in this program, there has been a notable absence of impact evaluation, rendering decision-making challenging, as program allocation lacks a random basis. Moreover, existing research in the realm of agricultural training and technology adoption predominantly focuses on pre-harvest aspects, leaving a substantial gap in addressing post-harvest quality improvement.
This research aims to gauge the impact of the post-harvest quality improvement training program on three core aspects: knowledge enhancement among farmers knowledge enhancement among farmers, behavioural shifts in pepper farmers for adopting quality measures, and the resultant quality enhancement of black pepper. Conducted through a Randomized Control Trial, the study seeks to measure the knowledge gained, behavioural changes, and the quality improvements directly influenced by the training program.
Through this experimental approach, we can bridge the existing knowledge gaps and contribute to the development of more effective, evidence-based interventions in the field of post-harvest quality improvement in black pepper.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Amarawansha, Samanmalee and Daisaku GOTO. 2024. "Impact of Post Harvest Quality Improvement Training Program on enhancing knowledge, altering production behaviour, and improving the quality of black pepper." AEA RCT Registry. January 09. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.12674-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)

The training program on post-harvest quality improvement of black pepper represents a crucial component of the Post-Harvest Technology Investment Assistant Scheme implemented by the Department of Export Agriculture in Sri Lanka. The randomised control trial aims to evaluate the impact of the post-harvest training programme on three key areas. First, it seeks to measure the knowledge enhancement that black pepper farmers acquire because of the training program. Second, it aims to identify the behavioural change among black pepper farmers who have undergone the training programme for the implementation of post-harvest quality measures. Lastly, the research aims to quantify the improvements in the quality of black pepper, which can be attributed to the training programme.
Intervention Start Date
2024-01-05
Intervention End Date
2024-02-09

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
The expected outcomes of this experimental research encompass three key areas. First, it seeks to measure the knowledge enhancement that black pepper farmers acquire because of the training program. Second, it aims to identify the behavioural change among black pepper farmers who have undergone the training program for the implementation of post-harvest quality measures. Lastly, the research aims to quantify the improvements in the quality of black pepper, which can be attributed to the training program.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
A total of 660 black pepper farmers, randomly selected from a pool of 1027 willing participants seeking post-harvest quality improvement training, are divided into three groups of 220 farmers each. Each group will undergo a specific treatment, and all invitees are incentivized with a lottery ticket to boost participation rates. Information about these programs has been disseminated through posters in relevant Agrarian service centers in the Matale district before the intervention's commencement.
The treatments consist of: Treatment 1, which involves the government's post-harvest training program; Treatment 2, comprising peer-to-peer sessions among farmers; and Treatment 3, the control group, which involves watching a movie related to the spice sector. Notably, all groups receive the same foundational training.
To measure knowledge improvements, a quiz on black pepper cultivation, production, and processing will be administered both before and after the treatment in each group.
The first evaluation, scheduled for March/April 2024 during the light berry harvesting season of black pepper, will assess the training's impact on this specific phase. Information will be gathered through telephone conversations and random field inspections.
The second evaluation, set for September/October 2024, aims to gauge the implementation of post-harvest quality measures and quantify the improvements in black pepper quality due to the training program. This evaluation will rely on on-site inspections.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
randomization is done by computer generated random number
Randomization Unit
Household
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
Household level randomization is done
Sample size: planned number of observations
660 Households
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
220 Household Treatment 1, 220Households Treatment 2, 220 Household Control
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials

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IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Hiroshima, Japan
IRB Approval Date
2023-11-17
IRB Approval Number
HR-LPES-001384
Analysis Plan