Episode 723: The Risk Farmers

Enlarge this image toggle caption Courtesy of Innovations for Poverty Action Courtesy of Innovations for Poverty Action

We recently visited a man who may be the best apple farmer in Lesotho. He wanted to expand his business — but he was wary of going all-in on apples.

This is a common issue in the developing world: Farmers don't grow enough of the things they're best at growing.

Why not?

Two economists — who work across the hall from each other, and who have devoted their careers to studying ways to help the poor — came up with very different answers to that question. And they decided to figure out who was right.

Music: "The Best Around" and "Rise and Fall." Find us: Twitter/ Facebook.