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Early growing season temperature variation and fertilizer use among smallholder farmers

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  • Ahmed, Musa Hasen

Abstract

This study examines the impact of early growing season temperature variation on fertilizer use among maize-producing smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. A unique, decade-long dataset collected at the plot level was integrated with climate data to construct weather variation indicators that are comparable across time and space. The findings reveal that smallholder farmers adapt their fertilizer application strategies in response to early growing season temperature variations. Heterogeneity analyses show that environmental factors such as altitude affect fertilizer use when farmers face early growing season temperature variations.

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  • Ahmed, Musa Hasen, 2025. "Early growing season temperature variation and fertilizer use among smallholder farmers," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:133:y:2025:i:c:s0306919224002045
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2024.102793
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    1. Mulungu, Kelvin & Manning, Dale T. & Bozzola, Martina, 2025. "Once bitten, twice shy? Direct and indirect effects of weather shocks on fertilizer and improved seeds use," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    2. Abay, Kibrom A. & Chamberlin, Jordan & Chivenge, Pauline & Spielman, David J., 2025. "Fertilizer, soil health, and economic shocks: A synthesis of recent evidence," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    3. Amankwah, Akuffo & Ambel, Alemayehu & Gourlay, Sydney & Kilic, Talip & Markhof, Yannick & Wollburg, Philip, 2025. "Smallholder farming, fertilizer use, and the polycrisis period: Cross-country evidence from longitudinal surveys in Sub-Saharan Africa," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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