Impact of Reinforcement on Nutrient Management: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from the Rice-Wheat System of Punjab: 26070
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https://doi.org/10.35716/IJED-26070
Author: Ramandeep, Manmeet Kaur, Sidharth S. and Vipan Kumar Rampal
Author Address: Department of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004 (Punjab)
Abstract
This
study evaluated whether reinforcement mechanisms enhance the effectiveness of
soil test–based fertiliser advisory in improving nutrient-use efficiency and
reducing farm-level production costs in the rice–wheat system in Punjab. A
quasi-experimental design with treatment (n = 56) and control (n = 56) groups
was employed, and impacts were estimated using a Difference-in-Differences
approach. Treatment farmers received soil-test–based recommendations and
repeated follow-up interactions, while control farmers continued conventional
practices. The intervention generated statistically significant fertiliser cost
savings of ?1,664 per hectare in rice and ?788 per hectare in wheat, driven
primarily by the rationalisation of nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilisers.
Integrating behaviourally informed reinforcement into extension systems can be
a cost-effective strategy for promoting economically and environmentally
sustainable nutrient management in high-input agricultural regions.
Keywords
Advisory, fertiliser expenditure, quasi-experimental design, reinforcement.
JEL Codes
C21, O13, Q12, Q16.