Impact of on-site grain quality testing and strategic messaging on adoption and marketing decisions farmer-level panel dataset and village-level dataset

As part of the Rethinking Food Markets initiative, we designed and implemented a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Honduras to evaluate the effects of two innovations on adoption and marketing outcomes within the bean value chain. The innovations included sending technical messages via mobile phone and conducting simple field-based quality tests. The RCT involved primary data collection at two levels and consisted of three survey rounds: late 2023, mid-2024, and late 2024. The 2023 round constitutes the baseline, while the two 2024 rounds were combined to form the endline. The data were collected in the department of El Paraíso and targeted two key actor groups: community leaders and farmers. The survey instruments covered a broad set of topics, including demographics; land distribution and use; characterization of land parcels and crops; bean production and management practices; post-harvest handling and marketing of beans; sources of agricultural income and assets; access to technical assistance, training, and credit; and other economic activities. Methodology:To collect data from farmers, we first identified the participating communities within El Paraíso. Prior to implementing the RCT, we identified two producer associations—ARSAGRO and CECRUCSO—which provide technical and business support to farmers across 49 villages. The randomization was conducted at the village level, assigning communities to one of three groups: (1) quality testing only, (2) control, and (3) quality testing combined with technical messages delivered via mobile phone. Using the membership lists provided by both associations, we determined the number of active producers in each community and subsequently interviewed all farmers participating in the study. To identify community leaders, we used information provided by both associations to locate and contact the designated local leaders. All interviews were conducted using structured questionnaires. At baseline, interviews were carried out in person, while in the end line (second and third rounds), they were administered through a combination of phone and in-person interviews due to budget constraints.