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Effects of Weather Variability on Crop Abandonment

Author

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  • Kelvin Mulungu

    (International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)-HarvestPlus, C/O WorldFish Center, Lusaka 10101, Zambia)

  • Gelson Tembo

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Zambia, Lusaka 10101, Zambia)

Abstract

In Zambia, every year some parts of the maize fields are abandoned post-planting. Reasons for this are not clearly known. In this paper, we examine the influence of soil and climatic factors on crop abandonment using a six-year (2007–2012) panel data by modeling the planted-to-harvested ratio (a good indicator of crop abandonment) using a fractional and linear approach. Therefore, for the first time, our study appropriately (as supported by the model specification tests that favour fractional probit over linear) models the fractional nature of crop abandonment. Regression results, which are not very different between the two specifications, indicate that, more than anything, high rainfall immediately after planting and inadequate fertilizer are the leading determinants of crop abandonment. In the agro-ecological region where dry planting takes place, low temperature during planting months negatively affects the harvested area. The results have implications on the sustainability of farming systems in the face of a changing climate.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelvin Mulungu & Gelson Tembo, 2015. "Effects of Weather Variability on Crop Abandonment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:3:p:2858-2870:d:46546
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chukwujekwu A. Obianefo & John N. Ng’ombe & Agness Mzyece & Blessing Masasi & Ngozi J. Obiekwe & Oluchi O. Anumudu, 2021. "Technical Efficiency and Technological Gaps of Rice Production in Anambra State, Nigeria," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Chekenya, Nixon S., 2023. "Climate-induced crop failure and crop abandonment: What do we know and not know?," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 18(2), October.
    3. Kelvin Mulungu & Gelson Tembo & Hilary Bett & Hambulo Ngoma, 2021. "Climate change and crop yields in Zambia: historical effects and future projections," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 11859-11880, August.
    4. Hashmiu, Ishmael & Agbenyega, Olivia & Dawoe, Evans, 2022. "Determinants of crop choice decisions under risk: A case study on the revival of cocoa farming in the Forest-Savannah transition zone of Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).

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