Early growing season weather variation, expectation formation and agricultural land allocation decisions in Ethiopia. (18th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahmed, Musa Hasen; Tesfaye, Wondimagegn Mesfin; Gassmann, Franziska
• Is Part Of: Journal of agricultural economics. Volume 74:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 255
• Page End: 272
• Publication Date: 2022-08-18
• Subjects: adaptation -- crop substitution -- land allocation -- weather variation; Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; 338.1
• DOI: 10.1111/1477-9552.12507
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-857X

Abstract

Abstract: Using unique crop‐specific data gathered over 7 years, we study if and how maize‐producing farmers in Ethiopia adjust their land allocation decisions in response to pre‐planting‐season weather variations. We show that farmers adjust their land allocation decisions in response to increased temperatures early in the growing season. In addition to quantifying a substantial adaptation margin that has not been documented before, our study also reveals the presence of a weather variation‐induced expansion of maize production into areas that are less suitable for maize cultivation.