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There has been a rise in the use of the local delivery model for development interventions, where local agents are hired as intermediaries to target benefits to potential beneficiaries. We study this model in the context of a standard agricultural extension intervention in Uganda. We document a trade-off between coverage and targeting delivery agents treat more farmers when they have a greater number of social ties, but they are significantly more likely to target their non-poor ties. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for the design of the local delivery model for anti-poverty interventions.
Authors

Oriana Bandiera

Robin Burgess
Erika Deserranno
Kellogg School of Management
Ricardo Morel
Innovations for Poverty Action

Munshi Suleiman

CPP Director, IFS Research Director
Imran is Professor of Economics at University College London and Director of the Centre for the Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy at the IFS.
Journal article details
- DOI
- 10.1086/722898
- Publisher
- Journal of Political Economy Microeconomics
- Issue
- Volume 0
Suggested citation
Bandiera, O et al. (2022). 'Social incentives, delivery agents and the effectiveness of development interventions'
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