Knowledge of vitamin A deficiency and crop adoption: Evidence from a field experiment in Mozambique |
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Authors: | Rute M Caeiro Pedro C Vicente |
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Institution: | 1. Nova School of Business and Economics, Universidade Nova de Lisboa and NOVAFRICA;2. Nova School of Business and Economics, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, NOVAFRICA and BREAD |
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Abstract: | Vitamin A deficiency is a widespread public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper analyzes the impact of an intervention fighting vitamin A deficiency through the promotion of production and consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP). We conducted a randomized evaluation of OFSP-related training to female farmers in Mozambique, who were also the primary caretakers of preschool children. The treatment consisted of group and individual-level training where basic knowledge about nutrition was taught, and planting and cooking skills related specifically to OFSP were developed. We find considerable increases in nutrition-related knowledge, as well as knowledge about cooking and planting OFSP, which persist after more than a year. We also observe clear evidence of adoption of OFSP for production in the short- and medium-run, which spreads through social networks. |
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Keywords: | Africa Mozambique orange-fleshed sweet potato randomized evaluation vitamin A O12 O13 Q16 I15 |
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