Working Papers:

Job Market Paper: "Benefits to Agriculture from an Afforestation Program: Evidence from India" with Prof. Matthew Oliver and Prof. Dylan Brewer

Abstract: Afforestation programs are a popular strategy to mitigate climate change. These programs, if implemented properly, can produce significant co-benefits beyond carbon sequestration, which have significant implications for the net social benefit of carbon abatement through afforestation. In 2003, one of the largest afforestation programs in India was implemented in Rajasthan state. Using a yearly, district-level panel from 1997 to 2017, we estimate the treatment effects of this program on the agricultural sector using a synthetic difference-in-differences approach. Our findings suggest that the afforestation program led to robust, statistically significant increases in rainfall and agricultural production, area, and yield. We discuss the implications of our findings for afforestation as a climate mitigation strategy.

"Spillover effects from a mining ban on the agriculture labor market in India" (draft available upon request)

Abstract: In 2011, the apex court of India banned iron ore mining in three districts of Karnataka state to curb illegal mining. While this decision was designed to reduce the degradation of critical natural resources, it caused a spillover effect into other sectors due to a massive influx of wage laborers displaced by the ban. This research estimates the effect of this excess supply of field labor on wages in the agricultural sector. Following the ban, the Karnataka field labor market saw a decrease in wages by about Rs. 94 per day, a 25-30% decrease relative to an average daily wage of Rs. 300-400 per day. These results suggest that policymakers should consider potential spillover labor market effects from future mining policies.

"Effect of air pollution on labor supply decisions of the married individuals" (draft available upon request)

Abstract: Pollution negatively affects the health of an individual which forces them to reduce participation in the labor force. This effect is amplified for married individuals when they are subjected to illness due to pollution. It is because a married individual has added responsibility to spend time on caregiving for their spouse. In a country like India where the wage differences between women and men are very high both men and women respond differently to their respective spouse's illnesses. Due to the dominant income effect, both ends up working more in case of their spouse is sick compared to an unmarried individual. But the effect is 3 times higher in the case of women compared to men.

"Effect of repealing agricultural marketing law on field labor wages in India" (draft available upon request)

Work in Progress:

"Effect of alcohol prohibition on field labor wages in India

"Effect of women in parliament on poverty and inequality with Prof. Chandan K. Jha"