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Wheat Varietal Diversification Increases Ethiopian Smallholders’ Food Security: Evidence from a Participatory Development Initiative

Author

Listed:
  • Elisabetta Gotor

    (Bioversity International, 00100 Rome, Italy)

  • Muhammed Abdella Usman

    (Center for Development Research (ZEF), Bonn University, Genscherallee 3, 53113 Bonn, Germany)

  • Martina Occelli

    (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 34, 56025 Pontedera, Italy)

  • Basazen Fantahun

    (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 34, 56025 Pontedera, Italy
    Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Carlo Fadda

    (Bioversity International, 00100 Rome, Italy
    Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 34, 56025 Pontedera, Italy)

  • Yosef Gebrehawaryat Kidane

    (Bioversity International, 00100 Rome, Italy)

  • Dejene Mengistu

    (Bioversity International, 00100 Rome, Italy)

  • Afewerki Yohannes Kiros

    (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 34, 56025 Pontedera, Italy)

  • Jemal Nurhisen Mohammed

    (Department of Dryland Crop and Horticultural Sciences, College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mekelle University, P.O. Box 231, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia)

  • Mekonen Assefa

    (Sirinka Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 74, North Wollo, Woldia, Ethiopia)

  • Tesfaye Woldesemayate

    (Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia)

  • Francesco Caracciolo

    (Bioversity International, 00100 Rome, Italy
    Economics and Policy Group, Federico II, Department Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio, 21, 80125 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

This study assesses the impact of a participatory development program called Seeds For Needs, carried out in Ethiopia to support smallholders in addressing climate change and its consequences through the introduction, selection, use, and management of suitable crop varieties. More specifically, it analyzes the program’s role of boosting durum wheat varietal diversification and agrobiodiversity to support higher crop productivity and strengthen smallholder food security. The study is based on a survey of 1008 households across three major wheat-growing regional states: Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray. A doubly robust estimator was employed to properly estimate the impact of Seeds For Needs interventions. The results show that program activities have significantly enhanced wheat crop productivity and smallholders’ food security by increasing wheat varietal diversification. This paper provides further empirical evidence for the effective role that varietal diversity can play in improving food security in marginal environments, and also provides clear indications for development agencies regarding the importance of improving smallholders’ access to crop genetic resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisabetta Gotor & Muhammed Abdella Usman & Martina Occelli & Basazen Fantahun & Carlo Fadda & Yosef Gebrehawaryat Kidane & Dejene Mengistu & Afewerki Yohannes Kiros & Jemal Nurhisen Mohammed & Mekone, 2021. "Wheat Varietal Diversification Increases Ethiopian Smallholders’ Food Security: Evidence from a Participatory Development Initiative," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1029-:d:483566
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    Cited by:

    1. Cheng Li & Xinjian Chen & Aiwu Jiang & Myung-Bok Lee & Christos Mammides & Eben Goodale, 2021. "Socioeconomic Determinants of Crop Diversity and Its Effect on Farmer Income in Guangxi, Southern China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Khed, Vijayalaxmi & Jaleta, Moti & Krishna, Vijesh, 2021. "Seed Delivery Pathways and Farmers’ Access to Improved Wheat Varieties in Ethiopia and India," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315124, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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