Chimborazo Rural Investment Project: Rural Roads Component Impact Evaluation
Peer Reviewed
Date issued
January 2021
Subject
Agricultural Productivity;
Road Infrastructure;
Food Security;
Impact Evaluation;
Indigenous People;
Rural Development;
Irrigation Infrastructure;
Investment Project;
Rural Women
JEL code
O13 - Agriculture • Natural Resources • Energy • Environment • Other Primary Products;
Q12 - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets;
O18 - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis • Housing • Infrastructure;
R41 - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion • Travel Time • Safety and Accidents • Transportation Noise;
O12 - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
Country
Ecuador
Category
Technical Notes
This paper evaluates the impact of rural roads improvement works to benefit indigenous communities in the highlands of Ecuador, largely dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. The findings suggest that the program had a positive impact on health and that it increased enrollment in secondary education. We find no evidence that treated households increased their investment in plot improvements and agricultural inputs. However, household members are more likely to report self-employment in agriculture as their main occupation. The effect on agricultural output and sales was positive but not statistically significant. Finally, there is no evidence that the program had any positive effect on overall household income, female empowerment and food security.
