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Long-term farming trends: an inquiry using agricultural censuses

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  • Anríquez, Gustavo
  • Bonomi, Genny

Abstract

This paper provides a long-term and global view at current farming trends by analyzing a specially created database of farming characteristics of 17 countries across 43 different agricultural censuses representing the different developing regions of the world. The study shows that while agricultural land appears to be a constraint in central and East Asia, it has been under expansion in Latin America, Northern Africa, and most of sub-Saharan Africa. We also estimate that 9 out of 10 farms are 'small' (i.e. smaller than 2 ha). These farms are more specialized in staple crops than their larger counterparts, and exhibit slower productivity growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Anríquez, Gustavo & Bonomi, Genny, 2007. "Long-term farming trends: an inquiry using agricultural censuses," ESA Working Papers 289039, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Agricultural Development Economics Division (ESA).
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:faoaes:289039
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.289039
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agricultural and Food Policy;

    JEL classification:

    • Q10 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - General
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

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