Marlaine E. Lockheed|Dean T. Jamison|Lawrence J. Lau
FARMER EDUCATION AND FARM EFFICIENCY: A SURVEY
Educational Testing Service|World Bank|Stanford University
abstract paper surveys findings 18 studies conducted lowincome countries concerning extent educational level small farmers affects production efficiency 18 studies include analyses 37 sets farm data allow statistical estimation effect education variables controlled 6 data sets education found negative statistically insignificant effect remaining 31 effect positive usually statistically significant though combining results disparate studies must done caution overall conclusion farm productivity increases average 74 result farmers completing four years elementary education rather none 74 weighted average value studies estimate could computed number studies showed evidence threshold number years 4 6 effect education became pronounced effects education much likely positive modernizing agricultural environments rather traditional ones ascertained inspection regressing across studies measured effect education productivity modernization environment variables 16 samples data available farmers exposure agricultural extension education studies 8 provided evidence extension significantly positively related efficiency