We measure the impact of a reduction in transaction costs on crop area and production of smallholder tobacco growers in Malawi. For identification, we exploit the introduction of an additional tobacco auction floor. Estimations are based on annual data by extension planning area. A 10 per cent reduction in distance to auction floor is shown to increase crop area and production around 4 and 10 per cent, respectively. Supply response weakens beyond a distance to auction floor of 60 km and runs along the intensive margin: existing tobacco growers improve productivity of cultivation. Impacts are robust for non-random placement of auction floors and several other threats. The results point to potentially large welfare benefits for smallholders if marketing infrastructure is improved and if more auction floors are introduced.

中文翻译：

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如果小农能够进入世界市场：马拉维的烟草营销案例

我们衡量交易成本降低对马拉维小规模烟草种植者的作物面积和生产的影响。为了识别，我们利用引入额外的烟草拍卖场。估计数基于扩展规划区域的年度数据。与拍卖场的距离减少 10% 显示，作物面积和产量分别增加约 4% 和 10%。供应响应在距拍卖场 60 公里的距离外减弱并沿着集约化边缘运行：现有烟草种植者提高了种植生产力。对拍卖场的非随机放置和其他几种威胁的影响是强大的。结果表明，如果营销基础设施得到改善并引入更多的拍卖场，小农可能会获得巨大的福利。