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Field
Abstract
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Before
Ensuring a disease-free environment is a key challenge in shrimp farming, which has consequences on the levels of shrimp production. For an export-oriented product like Bagda, this may subsequently have an impact on the levels of exports. In this study, we study whether different levels of monetary incentive in the form of a discount voucher can reshape farmers' behavior regarding adoption of a disease-free (Specific Pathogen Free--SPF PL) shrimp post-larvae (PL). We also test whether it can influence the experience of shrimp mortality and disease-related monetary losses, overall mortality rate, total shrimp harvest, and farmers' food security situation. In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), we will distribute discount vouchers among shrimp farmers in southern Bangladesh. In treatment arm 1, with about one-third of the sample, we plan to distribute vouchers worth BDT 250; in treatment arm 2, we plan to distribute vouchers worth BDT 125. The rest of the farmers will be assigned to the control group. All the farmers will be provided with the same level of information on the technology and its source. The randomization is done at the village level. The study will generate research and policy evidence on subsidy and technology adoption in agriculture and aquaculture space.
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After
Ensuring a disease-free environment is a key challenge in shrimp farming, which has consequences on the levels of shrimp production. For an export-oriented product like Bagda, this may subsequently have an impact on the levels of exports. In this study, we study whether different levels of monetary incentive in the form of a discount voucher can reshape farmers' behavior regarding the adoption of a disease-free (Specific Pathogen Free--SPF PL) shrimp post-larvae (PL). We also test whether it can influence the experience of shrimp mortality and disease-related monetary losses, overall mortality rate, total shrimp harvest, and farmers' food security situation. In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), we will distribute discount vouchers among shrimp farmers in southern Bangladesh. We use an open lottery for each farmer to be included in each treatment group.
First, we define the SPF-PL that is available at BDT 800 as type-A, and the SPF-PL that is available at BDT 1200 as type-B. We introduce treatment for both types of SPF-PL.
For type-A SPF-PL, we plan to distribute vouchers worth BDT 100 in treatment arm 1; and vouchers worth of BDT 50 in treatment arm 2. For type-B SPF-PL, we plan to distribute vouchers worth BDT 500 in treatment arm 3, BDT 400 in treatment arm 4, and BDT 200 in treatment arm 5. The rest of the farmers will be assigned to the control group. All the farmers will be provided with the same level of information on the technology and its source. The randomization is done at the individual level using a lottery for each individual farmer. The study will generate research and policy evidence on subsidy and technology adoption in agriculture and aquaculture space.
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Trial End Date
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Before
November 30, 2024
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After
December 31, 2024
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Last Published
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Before
May 31, 2024 02:25 PM
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After
June 14, 2024 04:29 AM
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Intervention (Public)
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Before
We will introduce discount vouchers for the shrimp farmers as the intervention. These vouchers will be distributed among randomly selected subsets of shrimp farmers so that they can purchase the specific pathogen-free (SPF) post-larvae (PL) to produce shrimp. About one-third of the sample will receive a discount voucher to buy the first specified units of specific pathogen-free (SPF) shrimp post-larvae (PL) at the market price of the normal hatchery PL (the benchmark). We call this group the treatment group A. Another one-third of the sample (treatment group B) will receive a discount equal to half the discount received by treatment group A to buy the first specified units of the SPF-PL. The rest will be a control group. The highest amount to be purchased with the voucher and the exact monetary values of the discount vouchers are being determined based on the data from the previous rounds and discussions with the stakeholders.
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After
We will introduce discount vouchers for the shrimp farmers as the intervention. These vouchers will be distributed among randomly selected subsets of shrimp farmers so that they can purchase the specific pathogen-free (SPF) post-larvae (PL) to produce shrimp.
First, we define the SPF-PL that is available at BDT 800 per thousand as type-A, and the SPF-PL that is available at BDT 1200 per thousand as type-B. We introduce treatments for both types of SPF-PL. The intention is to make both types of SPF-PL available at least at the level of the price of "normal" (non-SPF) hatchery PL.
For type-A SPF-PL, we plan to distribute vouchers worth BDT 100 in treatment arm 1; and vouchers worth of BDT 50 in treatment arm 2. For type-B SPF-PL, we plan to distribute vouchers worth BDT 500 in treatment arm 3, BDT 400 in treatment arm 4, and BDT 200 in treatment arm 5. The rest of the farmers will be assigned to the control group. All the farmers will be provided with the same level of information on the technology and its source. The randomization is done at the individual level using a lottery for each individual farmer. Each individual farmer will be eligible to buy up to 16 thousand SPF-PL. The highest amount to be purchased is determined based on the recommended level of SPF-PL release on a 100-decimal pond.
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Intervention Start Date
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Before
June 09, 2024
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After
June 19, 2024
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Experimental Design (Public)
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Before
The study will evaluate the impact of discount vouchers at different levels in the context of shrimp farming in the Southern region of Bangladesh. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Michigan State University, WorldFish, and Alliance Bioversity-CIAT are collaborating on this experiment. This study will use a sample of shrimp farmers to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT).
There is an existing sample of 1222 shrimp farmers in the southern region of Bangladesh from a study conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). IFPRI is conducting a second round of surveys from May 2024 to collect information on demographic characteristics, production, and farming practices. This survey is taking place in the comfort of the subject's home or farm.
After this survey, discount vouchers will be distributed among randomly selected subsets of shrimp farmers so that they can purchase the specific pathogen-free (SPF) post-larvae (PL) to produce shrimp. About one-third of the sample will receive a discount voucher to buy the first specified units of specific pathogen-free (SPF) shrimp post-larvae (PL) at the market price of the normal hatchery PL (the benchmark). We call this group the treatment group A. Another one-third of the sample (treatment group B) will receive a discount equal to half the discount received by treatment group A to buy the first specified units of the SPF-PL. The rest will be a control group. The highest amount to be purchased with the voucher and the exact monetary values of the discount vouchers are being determined based on the data from the previous rounds and discussions with the stakeholders.
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After
The study will evaluate the impact of discount vouchers at different levels in the context of shrimp farming in the Southern region of Bangladesh. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Michigan State University, WorldFish, and Alliance Bioversity-CIAT are collaborating on this experiment. This study will use a sample of shrimp farmers to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT).
There is an existing sample of 1222 shrimp farmers in the southern region of Bangladesh from a study conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). IFPRI is conducting a second round of surveys from May 2024 to collect information on demographic characteristics, production, and farming practices. This survey is taking place in the comfort of the subject's home or farm. After this survey, discount vouchers will be distributed among randomly selected subsets of shrimp farmers so that they can purchase the specific pathogen-free (SPF) post-larvae (PL) to produce shrimp.
For type-A SPF-PL, we plan to distribute vouchers worth BDT 100 in treatment arm 1; and vouchers worth of BDT 50 in treatment arm 2. For type-B SPF-PL, we plan to distribute vouchers worth BDT 500 in treatment arm 3, BDT 400 in treatment arm 4, and BDT 200 in treatment arm 5. The rest of the farmers will be assigned to the control group. All the farmers will be provided with the same level of information on the technology and its source. The randomization is done at the individual level using a lottery for each individual farmer. The enumerators will conduct the lottery in front of the farmer to ensure transparency. Each individual farmer will be eligible to buy up to 16 thousand SPF-PL. The highest amount to be purchased is determined based on the recommended level of SPF-PL release on a 100-decimal pond.
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Randomization Method
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Before
Randomization done in office by a computer
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After
Individual level lottery during visits
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Randomization Unit
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Before
Randomization is clustered at the level of “cluster of farmers”.
Note that priorly, three specific group of interventions were introduced among the shrimp farmers in the Southern region of Bangladesh. These interventions can broadly fall under different cluster participation programs which are being implemented by: (1) the Department of Fisheries, Government of Bangladesh (under the World Bank-funded Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project [SCMFP]), henceforth DoF; (2) ACI Agrolink Ltd., henceforth ACI; and (3) the Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF). These three represent diverse actors, including government, private sector processor cum input firm, and industry advocacy body.
In our current study, a cluster of farmers is a group of farmers defined in the following manner. In each cluster, we have three types of randomly selected shrimp farmers:
(i) farmers who have formed a group based on either DoF-prescribed guidelines or ACI/BSFF-prescribed guidelines where they farm in contiguous ponds. We can say that these farmers participate in one of the cluster participation programs introduced by the entities mentioned above.
(ii) farmers of the same village who do not participate in the cluster participation programs,
(iii) farmers who farm in an adjacent village and do not participate in the cluster participation programs.
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After
Randomization is done at the level of individual farmers.
Note that priorly, three specific group of interventions were introduced among the shrimp farmers in the Southern region of Bangladesh. These interventions can broadly fall under different cluster participation programs which are being implemented by: (1) the Department of Fisheries, Government of Bangladesh (under the World Bank-funded Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project [SCMFP]), henceforth DoF; (2) ACI Agrolink Ltd., henceforth ACI; and (3) the Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF). These three represent diverse actors, including government, private sector processor cum input firm, and industry advocacy body.
In our current study, a cluster of farmers is a group of farmers defined in the following manner. In each cluster, we have three types of
randomly selected shrimp farmers:
(i) farmers who have formed a group based on either DoF-prescribed guidelines or ACI/BSFF-prescribed guidelines where they farm in contiguous ponds. We can say that these farmers participate in one of the cluster participation programs introduced by the entities mentioned above.
(ii) farmers of the same village who do not participate in the cluster participation programs,
(iii) farmers who farm in an adjacent village and do not participate in the cluster participation programs.
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Was the treatment clustered?
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Before
Yes
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After
No
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Planned Number of Clusters
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Before
68
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After
Clustered at the individual level
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Field
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
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Before
24 clusters in control, 22 clusters in treatment group 1, and 22 clusters in treatment group 2
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After
Based on the lottery at the individual level conducted by the enumerators during the visit, we expect to have approximately 200 shrimp farmers in each treatment arm.
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Pi as first author
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Before
No
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After
Yes
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