Digital versus traditional agricultural extension for promoting climate-adaptive grape farming in the West Bank of Palestine: A randomized controlled trial protocol.

Last registered on May 27, 2025

Pre-Trial

General Information

Title

Evaluating Digital versus Traditional Extension Methods to Promote Climate-Adaptive and Best Farming Practices in Rainfed Grape Cultivation in Palestine: Protocol for a Cluster- Randomized Controlled Study.

RCT ID

AEARCTR-0016046

Initial registration date

May 19, 2025

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

May 27, 2025, 6:47 AM EDT

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

Amin ABU-ALSOUD

Affiliation

University of Jendouba

Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name

Ameur Mehrez

PI Affiliation

Higher School of Agriculture of Kef (ESAK), University of Jendouba,Tunisia

Contact Investigator

PI Name

Houcine Bchini

PI Affiliation

National Institute for Agricultural Research of Tunisia (INRAT), University of Carthage, Tunisia

Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status

In development

Start date

2025-02-25

End date

2027-04-25

Keywords

Agriculture, Behavior

Additional Keywords

Climate-Adaptive Practices, Digital Extension, Rainfed Grape Cultivation, RCT, Conflict-Affected Agriculture, Palestine

JEL code(s)

O13 – Economic Development: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Other Primary Products Q16 – R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services Q18 – Agricultural Policy; Food Policy C93 – Field Experiments (for your Randomized Controlled Trial) Q55 – Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

Secondary IDs

N/A

Prior work

This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.

Abstract

Introduction: Agriculture farming and rural living standards are massively compromised by Climate variability, especially for rainfed grape farming in Bethlehem and Hebron, situated in West Bank, Palestine. Advancements in Climate-Adaptive and Best Farming Practices (CABFPs) are providing favorable solutions, but farmers are continuously facing obstacles due to political circumstances, insufficient water access, low productivity, and lack of proper agricultural advisory services. Digital agricultural extension presents a fresh approach in the modern world, but its efficacy and impact compared to traditional methods are still limited, under-explored, and not fully studied.
Objective: This research analyzes the effectiveness of digital compared to conventional extension methodology in encouraging the adoption of CABFPs among Palestinian rainfed grape farmers. It examines methods that can be opted as the game changer in enhancing agriculture productivity, income living standards, and ability to withstand challenges in politically unstable, conflict-affected, and economically challenged regions.
Study Design and Methods: It’s a cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) that distributed 48 village clusters (24 treatment, 24 control) in Bethlehem and Hebron to digital or traditional extension interventions (1:1 ratio). Seven hundred and twenty grape farmers were identified from records and will be confirmed via a baseline survey. Cluster sizes varied (10, 12, 15, 17, or 20 farmers per cluster) with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.01. Sample size calculations were formulated to achieve 80% power at a 0.05 significance level to identify a 11% increase in CABFPs adoption (e.g., from 34.3% to 45.3%). The digital intervention provides advisory support, videos, and WhatsApp-based training, while the control group receives traditional services. Field agents and farmer groups will facilitate implementation. A baseline survey is currently underway to assess the primary outcome—adoption of CABFPs—along with key secondary outcomes including grape yield, quality, farm income, access to extension services, willingness to invest in CABFPs, and reduction in farming costs. An endline survey is planned to follow after the intervention period. To minimize potential spillover between study groups, a geographical buffer zone is established. Mixed-effects regression models will be used to adjust for cluster-level variation, baseline covariates, and intervention fidelity.
Expected Impacts: By combining accessible digital tools with support from field extension agents and cooperation with community based farmer groups, the intervention is designed to strengthen climate resilience and boost farming productivity. The anticipated evidence will inform policy reforms designed to scale sustainable agricultural practices across diverse crops and regions, ultimately enhancing rural livelihoods and fostering long-term development in resource-constrained settings.

External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation

ABU-ALSOUD, Amin, Houcine Bchini and Ameur Mehrez. 2025. "Evaluating Digital versus Traditional Extension Methods to Promote Climate-Adaptive and Best Farming Practices in Rainfed Grape Cultivation in Palestine: Protocol for a Cluster- Randomized Controlled Study.." AEA RCT Registry. May 27. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.16046-1.0

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Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)

This study will assess the effectiveness of two planned agricultural extension methods—digital and traditional—in promoting the adoption of Climate-Adaptive and Best Farming Practices (CABFPs) among rainfed grape farmers in Palestine. The intervention design is based on the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach, a participatory, market-oriented framework originally developed in Kenya and now implemented globally, including in Palestine.

1. Digital Extension Method
The digital extension activities are scheduled to begin next year and will be delivered through WhatsApp groups and a Google Sites-based platform. Participating farmers will receive biweekly training materials—videos, infographics, and market insights—aligned with seasonal farming stages. These materials will incorporate CABFPs and climate-adaptive techniques. WhatsApp groups will facilitate peer-to-peer learning and real-time expert support. Each group will consist of 10–20 farmers, with 12 planned sessions per group over one year, totaling 288 sessions across 24 clusters.

2. Traditional Extension Method
The control arm will follow the Ministry of Agriculture’s standard extension services, which involve routine in-person field visits, training workshops, and hands-on demonstrations. These activities reflect existing governmental practices and will also begin next year, aligned with the agricultural season.

3. Planned Coverage and Delivery
The intervention will target 24 treatment clusters (8 in Bethlehem and 16 in Hebron), reaching an estimated 400 grape-farming households. An equivalent number of clusters and farmers will be assigned to the control group. In localities lacking established farmer groups, new groups will be formed for the purpose of the intervention.

4. Implementation Support
Designated extension agents and facilitators will provide ongoing digital follow-up to farmers in the treatment clusters. Those who miss sessions will be contacted by phone or community channels to encourage continued participation.

Intervention Start Date

2026-02-25

Intervention End Date

2027-02-25

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)

(1). Adoption of CABF practices
(2). Adaptation of Existing Grape Farming Practices to Climate Change

Primary Outcomes (explanation)

(1). A binary variable indicating adoption status, coded as 1 if the grape farmer has adopted at least one recommended CABFP, and 0 otherwise.
(2). A binary variable indicating adaptation status, coded as 1 if the grape farmer reports having modified at least one existing farming practice to mitigate the effects of changing weather patterns—such as increased temperatures, irregular rainfall, or drought—and 0 otherwise.

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)

(1). Grape Yield per Dunum (2). Perceived Improvement in Grape Quality (3). Income from Grape Farming (4). Improved Access to Agriculture Extension (5). Willingness to Invest in CABFPs and, (6). Farming Cost Reduction

Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

1. Grape Yield per Dunum
Measured in kilograms per 1,000 m² (dunum), reported by farmers at both baseline and endline to assess productivity changes over time.
Type: Continuous | Source: Farmer survey

2. Perceived Improvement in Grape Quality
Coded as 1 if the farmer rates quality (size, color, firmness, sweetness, pest resistance) as Good/Excellent (score ≥ 3), and 0 if Average or below (score ≤ 2).
Type: Binary | Source: Farmer survey

3. Income from Grape Farming
Net income (revenue minus operating costs) from grape production, reported in NIS per dunum at baseline and endline.
Type: Continuous | Source: Farmer survey

4. Improved Access to Agricultural Extension
Coded as 1 if the farmer received extension in the past year and rated access as Easy/Very Easy (score ≥ 4), and 0 otherwise.
Type: Binary | Source: Farmer survey

5. Willingness to Invest in CABFPs
Coded as 1 if the farmer reports being Very or Extremely Willing (score ≥ 4) to invest in CABFPs; 0 if score is 3 or below.
Type: Binary | Source: Farmer survey

6. Farming Cost Reduction
Change in total farming cost or input costs per dunum between baseline and endline, measured in NIS.
Type: Continuous | Source: Farmer survey

Experimental Design

This study aims to evaluate how different methods of delivering agricultural advice—digital versus traditional—affect the adoption of CABFPs and the adaptation of existing grape farming practices in response to climate change among farmers in Palestine. A total of 48 villages in the Hebron and Bethlehem districts will participate in the study. Half of the villages (24) will receive regular agricultural guidance through digital tools such as WhatsApp and an online platform, while the other half will continue receiving standard in-person services provided by agricultural extension agents.
The intervention will run for one year, from February 2026 to February 2027, and will be followed by two additional months for data collection and closing activities. The project will assess changes in farming practices, grape yield, income, access to agricultural advice, and overall resilience to climate-related challenges. Farmers will be surveyed before and after the intervention to understand the impact of each approach.
The goal is to determine whether digital extension services can be a more effective and scalable solution for reaching farmers in rural and resource-constrained areas.

Experimental Design Details

Not available

Randomization Method

The clusters were randomized using a robust, well-established method designed to ensure transparency, replicability, and the elimination of selection bias. Initially, random numbers were generated within the dataset using a formula-based approach (e.g., Excel’s =RAND() function) to achieve a purely random ordering of clusters. To further enhance balance between the experimental arms, an alternating assignment method (e.g., =MOD(ROW(A2)2,2)+1) was ultimately used for equal distribution of clusters between the treatment and control groups. Comprehensive documentation of the randomization process—including all steps, formulas, and adjustments—will be provided upon request or included in upcoming appendices (Appendix 20, Appendix 21, and Map 3) that illustrate the final allocation.

Randomization Unit

The randomization is conducted at the cluster level, with clusters defined at the village level. The intervention targets rainfed grape farmers across selected villages in the Hebron and Bethlehem districts of Palestine. Each village constitutes a single unit of randomization to ensure consistency in extension delivery and minimize contamination between treatment arms.

Was the treatment clustered?

Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters

48 villages (24 treatment villages and 24 control villages)

Sample size: planned number of observations

800 grape-farming households (approximately 10–20 households per village across 48 villages) are targeted for participation in the study. However, the coefficient of variation will be recalculated based on the final average cluster size obtained from the ongoing baseline survey. Accordingly, the sample size and power calculations will be reviewed and adjusted if necessary.

Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms

(1). Treatment Arm: 24 clusters (villages), approximately 390 grape-farming households (estimated)
(2). Control Arm: 24 clusters (villages), approximately 410 grape-farming households (estimated)
(3). Total: 48 clusters and approximately 800 households across both arms. The exact number will be finalized based on the results of the ongoing baseline survey and will depend primarily on the availability of eligible grape farmers in the target villages.

Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)

The Minimum Detectable Effect Size (MDE) for the primary outcome—adoption of CABFPs is: - Effect Size (absolute difference in proportions): 0.11 (or 11 percentage points) - Control Group Proportion (p₁): 34.3% - Treatment Group Proportion (p₂): 45.3% - Pooled Standard Deviation: 0.4436 - Unit of Analysis: Grape-farming household - Cluster Design: 48 villages (24 per arm), ICC = 0.01, CV = 0.17 - Power: 80% - Significance Level (α): 0.05 (two-sided) This effect size reflects the smallest meaningful increase in CABFPs adoption attributable to the intervention, given the sample design and statistical parameters.

Supporting Documents and Materials

Documents

Document Name

Study Area Map (Bethlehem and Hebron Districts)

Document Type

other

Document Description

This map illustrates the location of the two targeted districts (Bethlehem and Hebron) within the West Bank, Palestine. It highlights the geographic positioning of the study area relative to the broader regional context.

File

Study Area Map (Bethlehem and Hebron Districts)

MD5: 18fcb0a0cc2bf35231ccf7c2864da565

SHA1: b5e99b1ea33aedac8129383db5c25843294896b4

Uploaded At: May 22, 2025

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IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name

Internal Ethics Review – Higher School of Agriculture of Kef (ESAK), University of Jendouba

IRB Approval Date

2025-02-12

IRB Approval Number

N/A

Analysis Plan