THE DETERMINANTS OF CEREAL CROP DIVERSITY ON FARMS IN THE ETHIOPIAN HIGHLANDS / доклад на 25 конференции IAAE, Reshaping Agriculture’s Contribution to Society, International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa, 16-23 August 2003 (original) (raw)
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The economic determinants of cereal crop diversity on farms in the Ethiopian highlands
Agricultural Economics, 2004
In less favoured areas such as the highlands of Ethiopia, farmers manage risk through land allocation to crops and varieties since they cannot depend on market mechanisms to cope. They also grow traditional varieties that are genetically diverse and have potential social value. Supporting the maintenance of crop and variety diversity in such locations can address both the current needs of farmers and future needs of society, though it entails numerous policy challenges. We estimate a model of crop and variety choice in a theoretical framework of the farm household model to compare the determinants of crop and variety diversity, revealing some of these policy considerations. Farm physical features and household characteristics such as wealth and labour stocks have large and significant effects on both the diversity among and within cereal crops, varying among crops. Policies designed to encourage variety diversity in one cereal crop may have opposing effects in another crop. Trade-offs between development-related factors and diversity in this resource-poor system are not evident, however. Market-related variables and population density have ambiguous effects. Education positively influences cereal crop diversity. Growing modern varieties of maize or wheat does not detract from the richness or evenness of these cereals on household farms. 0 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.
THE DETERMINANTS OF CEREAL CROP DIVERSITY ON FARMS IN THE ETHIOPIAN HIGHLANDS
2003
On farm conservation of crop diversity entails policy challenges, especially when the diversity of crops maintained on farms has both inter-specific (among crops) and infra-specific (within a crop) components. Survey data is used to compare the determinants of inter- and infra-specific diversity on household farms in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. Physical features of the farm, and household characteristics such
THE DETERMINANTS OF CEREAL CROP DIVERSIT
On farm conservation of crop diversity entails policy challenges, especially when the diversity of crops maintained on farms has both inter-specific (among crops) and infraspecific (within a crop) components. Survey data is used to compare the determinants of inter-and infra-specific diversity on household farms in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. Physical features of the farm, and household characteristics such as livestock assets and the proportion of adults that are men, have large and significant effects on both the diversity among and within cereal crops grown, varying among crops. Demographic aspects such as age of household head and adult education levels affect only infra-specific diversity of cereals. Though there are no apparent trade-offs between policies that would enhance one type of diversity (richness) versus another (evenness), those designed to encourage infraspecific diversity in one cereal crop might have the opposite effect on another crop. Tradeoffs between development and diversity in this resource-poor system are not evident. Marketrelated variables and population density have ambiguous effects. Education positively influences cereal crop diversity. Growing modern varieties of maize or wheat does not detract from the richness or evenness of these cereals on household farms.
Socioeconomic determinants of crop diversity in Bule Hora Woreda, Southern Ethiopia
Heliyon
Crop diversification on the farm is a useful approach, especially in developing countries, where agriculture is the primary source of income. Crop diversity management on the farm is critical for reducing poverty, increasing farm revenue, creating jobs, and ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability by maintaining biodiversity, soil, and water resources. Despite their relevance, several variables are currently affecting farmers' crop production decisions. The purpose of this research was to see how socioeconomic factors influence crop diversification. We chose randomly 84 sample household heads from four kebeles to collect socioeconomic and on-farm data. The Shannon-Wiener index (SWI) and crop species richness were used to assess crop diversity. A multiple stepwise linear regression model was used to evaluate the data. Crop diversity was positively and significantly related to household farm size, animal size and composition, annual income, and the location's altitudinal gradient. A lack of road infrastructure and market connections constrained farmers' crop diversification options. It's vital to connect distant areas with road networks and market ties to promote farm-level crop diversification.
Determinants of crop diversification in Ethiopia: Evidence from Oromia region
2015
Diversification of agriculture is central to economic transformation. It contributes to increasing productivity, increasing household incomes, improving soil health (through crop rotation and nitrogen fixation), and sustainable intensification of agriculture. Using survey data from a regionally representative household survey, this paper examines the drivers of agricultural diversification in Oromia region—the largest and agro-ecologically most diverse region. Farm households’ diversification decision is modeled as a two-step process; i.e., as the propensity to diversify (whether to diversify), and intensity of diversification (if decides to diversify, to what extent to diversify). The model was estimated using Hackman’s two-step method. The results suggest that asset ownership, soil quality, agricultural extension, and level of infrastructural development are the significant drivers of crop diversification in Oromia. The policy implications are obvious—public investment and policy ...
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation provided financial support for the initial research project from which the data used here were obtained. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supported the analysis. Special appreciation goes to the many officials, community leaders and farmers who graciously and patiently participated in the research and responded to the numerous questions.
Measuring on Farm Diversity and Determinants of Barley Diversity in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Momona Ethiopian Journal of Science, 2009
Maintaining on-farm diversity of crop varieties has received increasing attention as a strategy for mitigating production risk and protecting food security in resource-poor farming systems with few opportunities for insurance or trade. Barley is grown under a wide range of environmental conditions and in marginal areas or seasons where the production of other cereals is limited. Food consumption preferences and variable tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses influence the mixture and number of varieties to be grown. Phenotypic diversity was determined using Shannon diversity index. An econometric approach has been applied to identify the social and economic factors that influence levels of diversity maintained on-farm. A high phenotypic diversity index (0.79) was recorded from sampled barley varieties. Censored regression indicates that physical characteristics of the farm (land fragmentation index, farm size), agro climatic features of the site (altitude, rainfall, temperature) and household characteristics (only number of children) had a significant and positive impact on diversity and area allocation of barley. The significant negative relation of number of extension contact with barley diversity implies further attention and analysis.
Agriculture & Food Security
Background: This paper devotes to determinants of crop-livestock diversification in the mixed farming systems in the Gudo Beret watershed, central highlands of Ethiopia. In the highland agro-ecologies, the mixed farming-dominated agriculture is persistently confronted with food insecurity, feed scarcity and land degradation. During heavy rains or drought periods, farmers become vulnerable to food and feed shortfalls. To fill such gaps, the government of Ethiopia has made efforts to enhance the productive capacity of soils and thereby increase productivity on diversified farms in different agro-systems. Anthropogenic and natural calamities adversely affect the livelihoods of smallholders in general and crop-livestock systems in particular. The aim of this study is to examine the determinants of crop-livestock diversification and evaluate the link between farm activities and household food supplies. Methods: Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 211 randomly selected household-heads in Gudo Beret watershed, central highlands of Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics, inferential tests, and econometric models were employed for analysis. Results: Tobit model results revealed that livestock holding is positive and significantly influence the extent of croplivestock diversification at 1% significant level. Extension contact and irrigated land are also positive and significantly influence the extent of diversification at 5% level, while land rent-out, improved seed and soil fertility status are negative and significantly influence the crop-livestock diversification at 1, 5, and 5% significant levels. Ordinary least square regression results show that barley, wheat-and faba bean-based farming have positive correlation and significant effects on the household food energy, while vegetables and highland fruits production have negative correlation with the household food supply and significant at 1% level. Conclusions: Crop-livestock diversification is the best potential livelihood strategy for farm households. Barley, wheat and faba bean are the most dominant crops that have immense contribution for human nutrition and crop residue mainly used to feed livestock. Therefore, crop-livestock producers, agricultural practitioners, the Ethiopian government and partner organizations need to give due attention for agricultural extension service, investment for supplementary irrigation and integrated mixed crop-livestock systems.
Factors affecting farmers' crops diversification: Evidence from SNNPR, Ethiopia
Crop diversification under small-scale production system is a risk management strategy and an important step for transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture. This paper investigates the determinants of crop diversification using data on the three stage randomly selected 393 farm households in SNNPR of Ethiopia. The value of Margalef index was used as dependent variable. The Heckman two stage model was applied to estimate separately the farmers' decisions and level of diversification. The factors that affected crop diversification were gender, education and trade experience, membership in cooperatives, resource ownership, features of the land owned, access to extension services and transaction costs. Based on the findings the following recommendations were forwarded. The government should promote female participations, invest on formal and informal education of the farmers, provide incentive for extension workers and improve the extension system. Furthermore, the government and stakeholder should strengthen agricultural inputs and agricultural research particularly, generating agro-ecology based technologies and disseminates them. Non-crop activities (trade experience) and social organizations underline the need for designing integrated agriculture system (crop-non crop) and improving social organizations as powerful tools to increase diversification capacity of the farmers. Transaction costs need strengthening rural urban infrastructure to link crop diversification with markets.
Review of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 2020
Crop-livestock production is the major farming system in the highlands of Ethiopia. This study aimed to describe croplivestock diversification pattern, examine determinants of diversification patterns, and evaluate effects of divers ification on household income. Principal component analysis (PCA), seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) and ordinary least square (OLS) regression models were employed. Five major crop-livestock diversification patterns: sheep and goat, staple crops, chicken, vegetables, and animal feed-based farming were identified. The SUR model revealed that sex, education, income, extension contact, land size, market and road distance, irrigated land, and household size were significant factors that influence crop-livestock diversification patterns. It is also found that sheep and goat, vegetable, and chicken-based farming were significant production patterns that had positive effects on household income. We suggest that adoptive and adaptive agricultural practices such as small-scale irrigation, chicken rearing and sheep-based production patterns are the most potential farming systems in the highlands of Ethiopia.