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Seeds for livelihood: Crop biodiversity and food production in Ethiopia

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  • Di Falco, Salvatore
  • Bezabih, Mintewab
  • Yesuf, Mahmud

Abstract

This paper uses a farm level panel data from Ethiopia and a comprehensive empirical strategy to investigate the contribution of crop biodiversity on food production. We find that increasing the number of crop variety increases production. This result is stronger when rainfall level is lower. Moreover, the productivity analysis is complemented with the study of the determinants of farm level crop biodiversity. Empirical results suggest that rainfall, tenure security and household endowments tend to govern crop diversity decisions at the farm level.

Suggested Citation

  • Di Falco, Salvatore & Bezabih, Mintewab & Yesuf, Mahmud, 2010. "Seeds for livelihood: Crop biodiversity and food production in Ethiopia," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 1695-1702, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:69:y:2010:i:8:p:1695-1702
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    References listed on IDEAS

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