Abstract

Abstract

Context: The introduction of quality-certified seed (QCS) in the informal farmer network-based seed systems, which have largely relied on informal signals of quality, represents a promising innovation towards integrated seed sector development, combining formal and informal sector elements. At the same time, behavioral nudges have emerged as potentially powerful ways to encourage the uptake of innovations among smallholder farmers in developing countries.

The authors study what happened after pre-primary classes were added to government schools in West Bengal, India in 2013. Using different research methods, they looked at changes in enrolment and test scores. It was found that more children started attending pre-primary classes in these schools. But their test scores in reading and math did not improve compared to children in other states without the program. This may be because the schools did not get enough new classrooms or teachers to support the extra students.

This study analyzes nearly 158K job ads and 6.45M applications from India to examine how gendered language in job postings affects wages and applicant behavior. About 8% of ads explicitly state a gender preference. Jobs preferring women explicitly or implicitly offer lower wages but attract more female applicants.

Abstract