Promoting Alternatives to Rice Straw Burning in Vietnam

Last registered on September 22, 2026
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Promoting Alternatives to Rice Straw Burning in Vietnam
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0019707
Initial registration date
September 16, 2026

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
September 22, 2026, 6:39 AM EDT

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

Locations

Country
Viet Nam
Region

Primary Investigator

Name
Smriti Sharma
Affiliation
Newcastle University
Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Arya Gaduh
PI Affiliation
University of Arkansas
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Finn Tarp
PI Affiliation
University of Copenhagen
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Saurabh Singhal
PI Affiliation
Lancaster University
Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2026-04-01
End date
2028-12-31
Keywords
Agriculture, Environment & Energy
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
Rice straw burning is widely used to clear fields after harvest but contributes to local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluates approaches to increasing farmers’ use of a microbial product that helps rice straw decompose in the field, providing an alternative to burning. In rice-growing villages in Vietnam, we use a cross-randomization design to evaluate two dimensions of the roll-out of a new technology. More specifically, we test: (i) whether farmers or local agricultural shops help to better spread awareness of and adoption of the product; and (ii) whether top-down (recommendation by village leaders) or bottom-up (peer nominations) invitation procedures for training farmers leads to greater adoption of the product. The study will assess whether these approaches increase use of the product and ultimately reduce rice straw burning.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Gaduh, Arya et al. 2026. "Promoting Alternatives to Rice Straw Burning in Vietnam." AEA RCT Registry. September 22. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.19707-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Intervention Start Date
2026-05-26
Intervention End Date
2027-05-31

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
1. Microbial product adoption
2. Rice straw burning
3. Agricultural productivity
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
In treated villages, we organize trainings and fields demonstrations for farmers on the use of microbial as an alternative way to manage rice straw instead of burning. Following the training, participants receive free bags of microbial product and vouchers to obtain these products at a discounted price. We cluster-randomize our interventions at the village level. We randomly assign villages to a combination of different recruitment and marketing approaches to increase widespread adoption. Using a cross-randomization design, we experimentally vary: (i) how training participants are recruited (either recommended by the village leader or peer nominations by farmers); and (ii) the type of participants (farmers or local agricultural retailers) who will further the adoption of the microbial.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
Villages were randomly assigned to control or one of the treatment arms on a computer. Randomization is stratified by province, baseline rice yield, and the number of rice-cultivating households in the village.
Randomization Unit
The unit of randomization is the village.
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
150 villages
Sample size: planned number of observations
3,000 rice-growing households (20 rice-growing households surveyed in each of the 150 villages)
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
50 villages are assigned to control. We cross-randomize over two treatment dimensions (i.e., recruitment and marketing agent), with 25 villages assigned to each of the 2X2 cells.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
University of Copenhagen
IRB Approval Date
2025-10-22
IRB Approval Number
N/A
Analysis Plan