Learning About Farming: Innovation and Social Networks in a Resettled Community in Brazil

38 Pages Posted: 19 Jan 2022

See all articles by Mariapia Mendola

Mariapia Mendola

University of Milan - Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano (LdA); Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca - Department of Economics, Management and Statistics (DEMS); Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca - Center for European Studies (CefES)

Margherita Comola

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Carla Inguaggiato

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Abstract

We study the role of social learning in the diffusion of cash crops in a resettled village economy in Brazil. We combine detailed geo-coded data on farming plots with dyadic data on social ties among settlers, and we leverage natural exogenous variation in network formation induced by the landless workers’ movement occupying land. By using longitudinal data on farming decisions over 15 years, we find evidence of significant peer effects in the decision to farm new cash fruits (pineapple and passion fruit). Our results suggest that social diffusion is heterogeneous along observed plot and crop characteristics, i.e. farmers growing water-sensitive crop are more likely to respond to the actions of peers with similar water access conditions.

Keywords: Technology Adoption, Agrarian Reform, Social Networks, Peer Effects, Brazil

Suggested Citation

Mendola, Mariapia and Mendola, Mariapia and Comola, Margherita and Inguaggiato, Carla, Learning About Farming: Innovation and Social Networks in a Resettled Community in Brazil. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4003833 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4003833

Mariapia Mendola (Contact Author)

University of Milan - Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano (LdA) ( email )

Via Conservatorio 7
Milano, 20122
Italy

Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca - Department of Economics, Management and Statistics (DEMS) ( email )

Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1
Milan, 20126
Italy

Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca - Center for European Studies (CefES)

U6 Building
Viale Piero e Alberto Pirelli, 22
Milano, 20126
Italy

Margherita Comola

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Carla Inguaggiato

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

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