This paper studies the long-run effects of a “big-push” program providing a large asset
transfer to the poorest Indian households. In a randomized controlled trial that follows these
households over ten years, we find positive effects on consumption (0.6 SD), food security
(0.1 SD), income (0.3 SD), and health (0.2 SD). These effects grow for the first seven years
following the transfer and persist until year ten. One main channel for persistence is that
treated households take better advantage of opportunities to diversify into more lucrative …

Abstract Banerjee, Duflo, and Sharma (BDS, 2021, American Economic Review: Insights, 3,
471–86) conduct a 10-year follow-up of a randomized transfer program in West Bengal. BDS
find large effects on consumption, food security, income, and health. We conduct a
replicability assessment. First, we successfully reproduce the results, thanks to a perfectly
documented reproduction package. Results are robust across alternative specifications. We
furthermore assess the paper's pre-specification diligence and the reporting in terms of …