Language Barriers, Technology Adoption and Productivity: Evidence from Agriculture in India

30 Pages Posted: 26 May 2020 Last revised: 20 Apr 2023

See all articles by Apoorv Gupta

Apoorv Gupta

Dartmouth College

Jacopo Ponticelli

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management

Andrea Tesei

Queen Mary University of London - School of Economics and Finance; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute); London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Centre for Economic Performance (CEP)

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Date Written: May 2020

Abstract

We study the effect of language barriers on the ability of farmers to access information about agricultural technologies in rural areas of India. We use call- level data from a government-sponsored call center for agricultural advice offered in different languages across Indian states. Exploiting differences in the language spoken by farmers and call center advisors, we document that language barriers limit the adoption of modern agricultural technologies—such as high-yielding variety seeds. We find no impact of language barriers on agricultural productivity within five years from introduction of call centers, although small but significant differences arise in the longer run.

Suggested Citation

Gupta, Apoorv and Ponticelli, Jacopo and Tesei, Andrea, Language Barriers, Technology Adoption and Productivity: Evidence from Agriculture in India (May 2020). NBER Working Paper No. w27192, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3609644

Apoorv Gupta (Contact Author)

Dartmouth College ( email )

Department of Sociology
Hanover, NH 03755
United States

Jacopo Ponticelli

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

Andrea Tesei

Queen Mary University of London - School of Economics and Finance ( email )

Lincoln's Inn Fields
Mile End Rd.
London, E1 4NS
United Kingdom

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Centre for Economic Performance (CEP)

Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

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