EfD Discussion Paper,
Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg

Abstract: Empirical studies point to reduced tillage as a means to increase yields and reverse land degradation. A relatively neglected avenue of research concerns why farmers increase tillage frequencies. Using household plot–level panel data from the Nile Basin of Ethiopia, this article applies a random effects ordered probit endogenous switching regression model to empirically investigate the impact of weather events and other conditioning factors on farmers’ choice of tillage intensity and the effect of changing tillage frequencies on differences in farm returns. Results indicate that, while lowfrequency tillage is more likely in drier areas, plot-level shocks (such as pests and diseases) are key variables in the choice of high-frequency tillage. Adoption of a low-till approach leads to increasing farm returns in low-moisture areas but high-frequency tillage provides higher returns in high-rainfall areas. Understanding how farmers’ tillage options correlate with climatic conditions and farm economies is salient for developing effective adaptation and mitigation plans.

Keywords: tillage intensity; climate change; farm return; random effect; endogenous switching regression; Ethiopia

JEL-codes: Q01; Q12; Q16; Q18

Language: English

34 pages, March 1, 2017

Full text files

17-03_334_as_posted_1.pdf  Full text

Download statistics

• Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg
• Home page for this series

Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to Franklin Amuakwa-Mensah ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().

RePEc:hhs:gunefd:2017_003This page generated on 2024-09-13 22:14:35.