Introduction
Can tailored information improve agricultural practices? A field experiment in Nepal shows that while customized fertilizer recommendations boost farmers’ knowledge, deeper barriers stand in the way of real behavioral change.
Do Customized Recommendations Improve Fertilizer Application Practices?
A Field Experiment Among Paddy Farmers in Nepal
Fertilizers have become an integral component of modern agricultural production systems worldwide, including in developing countries. Conventional farming encourages the replacement of local crop varieties with high-yielding ones, which require greater inputs, including fertilizers. Recognizing this, many governments—including Nepal’s—have prioritized fertilizer use to boost agricultural productivity. Nepal’s Agricultural Perspective Plan (1995–2015) emphasized the role of fertilizers in increasing yields [1], and the Agricultural Development Strategy (ADS, 2015–2035) identified low fertilizer use as a key barrier to improving productivity and commercialization [2].
Despite these efforts, Nepal continues to face challenges. Fertilizer use remains low [3], soil fertility is declining [4], and soil nutrient depletion is widespread [5]. Specifically, underuse of nitrogen and potassium and overuse of phosphorus—relative to recommended levels—are prevalent in paddy farming, largely due to limited access to agricultural extension services [6]. This imbalance contributes to poor soil health, reduced productivity, and resource waste, making imbalanced fertilization both a fiscal and environmental concern [7]. Achieving balanced nutrient application, aligned with scientific recommendations, is therefore critical to restoring soil fertility and improving crop yields.
Our study investigates whether customized fertilizer recommendations based on soil tests can improve fertilizer application practices among paddy farmers in Nepal. Using a randomized controlled trial (RCT), we examine the effectiveness of providing tailored information and additional support services.
We surveyed 941 paddy-farming households from three municipalities in Chitwan District—Rapti, Khairahani, and Ratnanagar—between October and November 2023. Soil samples were collected to generate household-specific fertilizer recommendations. Our baseline findings showed widespread nutrient imbalances: most farmers underused nitrogen and potassium while overusing phosphorus. Over 80% of households deviated from the recommended application rates across all three nutrients in both the rainy and spring seasons. Knowledge gaps were also apparent: only 25% of households had any soil information, 20% had ever received government training on fertilizer management, and 88% had never conducted a soil test. Less than half knew the recommended fertilizer quantities or application timing. Consequently, more than 55% of households demonstrated low perceived importance of fertilizer management.
To assess whether information provision could improve practices, we randomly assigned households to one control group and three treatment groups.
-
Treatment 1 received a soil health card with customized fertilizer recommendations based on individual soil test results.
-
Treatment 2 received the same soil health card, along with text message reminders during key fertilizer application stages to address forgetfulness.
-
Treatment 3 received the soil health card plus access to consultation services to help farmers better understand and apply the recommendations.
The interventions were implemented in January–February 2024, during the spring paddy season, with follow-up surveys conducted after harvest in June–August 2024.
Our endline findings confirm persistent imbalances: 73%, 83%, and 85% of households continued to deviate from recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels, respectively, consistent with baseline patterns. While the interventions significantly improved farmers’ knowledge and perceptions about fertilizer management, they did not lead to measurable improvements in actual fertilizer application practices.
Why the gap between knowledge and behavior? We identify several constraints:
-
Liquidity constraints limit farmers’ ability to purchase recommended fertilizer amounts.
-
Physical access to fertilizer stores remains difficult for many.
-
Deeply held beliefs about fertilizers persist: many farmers prefer farmyard manure, which they associate with long-term soil health, and harbor mistrust toward chemical fertilizers, which they believe cause soil acidification, hardening, pest problems, and lodging.
Thus, information gaps, forgetfulness, and comprehension are not the main barriers to better fertilizer practices—persistent beliefs and structural constraints are. Our findings align with Beg et al. [8], who found that soil test-based recommendations alone do not change farmer behavior, and with Yang and Fang [9], who highlighted the idiosyncratic decision-making farmers use when adopting new fertilizer technologies.
Although our intervention did not shift behavior, the improvement in farmers’ knowledge and perceptions is an important first step. Knowledge alone is insufficient for behavior change. For real impact, customized information must be combined with broader agricultural support—extension services, training, demonstrations, and incentives. As Corral et al. [10] suggest, integrated interventions—such as extension services paired with in-kind grants—have a stronger influence on adoption rates.
In conclusion, soil test-based customized recommendations have limited impact in settings where farming practices are deeply ingrained and where access to resources is constrained. To improve fertilizer application behaviors, policymakers and researchers must go beyond information provision and focus on building trust, offering incentives, and deploying digital tools for personalized support at the household level.
References
[1] APP. (1995). Nepal Agricultural Perspective Plan (APP, 1995/96-2014/15). National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, 13-14.
[2] ADS. (2015). Agricultural Development Strategy (ADS, 2015-2035). Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, 31.
[3] Diwakar, J., Prasai, T., Pant, S.R., and Jayana, B.L. (2008). Study on Major Pesticides and Fertilizer Use in Nepal. Scientific World, 6(6), 76-80.
[4] Ghimire, S.R. (2008). Environmental Concern in Nepalese Agriculture. Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 9, 41-45.
[5] SMD. (2014). Soil Fertility Status of Nepal. Soil Management Directorate, Department of Agriculture, Government of Nepal, FY 2070/71.
[6] Baral, B.R., Pande, K.R., Gaihre, Y.K., Baral, K.R., Sah, S.K., & Thapa, Y.B. (2019). Farmers’ Fertilizer Application Gap in Rice Based Cropping System: A Case study of Nepal. SAARC Journal of Agriculture, 17 (2), 267-277.
[7] Kishore, A., Alvi, M., & Krupnik, T.J. (2021). Development of Balanced Nutrient Management Innovations in South Asia: Perspectives from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Global Food Security, 28: 100464.
[8] Beg, S., Islam, M., Rahman, K.W. (2022). Information and Behavior: Evidence from Fertilizer Quantity Recommendation in Bangladesh. SSRN. http://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4022002.
[9] Yang, X., & Fang, S. (2015). Practices, Perceptions, and Implications of Fertilizer Use in East-Central China. Ambio, 44, 647–652.
[10] Corral, C., Gine, X., Mahajan, A., & Seira, E. (2020). Autonomy & Specificity in Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Mexico. Working Paper 27681, National Bureau of Economic Research, 1-81.
About Author
Author: Diwas Raj Bista
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Diwas Raj Bista is Joint Secretary at Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development of Government of Nepal. He facilitates planning, budgeting and policy formulation, and implementation of ministry’s agricultural development programs. His interest includes assessment of agricultural development program, extension services and adoption by farmers to contribute to evidence based strategies for policy and program planning. He is PhD student at ISSCAD.
Selected Recommendations
Thank you for your attention
If you need to reprint, please contact us
We look forward to submissions and welcome cooperation
Email: [email protected]
Follow the South-South Cooperation and Development Institute, and pay attention to China and the world.