An Analysis of Crop Choice: Adapting to Climate Change in Latin American Farms

24 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2016

See all articles by S. Niggol Seo

S. Niggol Seo

Lamajel Ling

Robert O. Mendelsohn

Yale University - School of Forestry & Environmental Studies; Yale University

Date Written: March 1, 2007

Abstract

The authors explore how Latin American farmers adapt to climate by changing crops. They develop a multinomial choice model of farmer's choice of crops. Estimating the model across over 2,000 farmers in seven countries, they find that both temperature and precipitation affects the crops that Latin American farmers choose. Farmers choose fruits and vegetables in warmer locations and wheat and potatoes in cooler locations. Farms in wetter locations are more likely to grow rice, fruits, and squash, and in dryer locations maize and potatoes. Global warming will cause Latin American farmers to switch away from wheat and potatoes toward fruits and vegetables. Predictions of the impact of climate change must reflect not only changes in yields or net revenues per crop but also crop switching.

Keywords: Crops & Crop Management Systems, Climate Change, Rural Poverty Reduction, Agriculture & Farming Systems, Global Environment Facility

Suggested Citation

Seo, S. Niggol and Mendelsohn, Robert O., An Analysis of Crop Choice: Adapting to Climate Change in Latin American Farms (March 1, 2007). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 4162, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=969239

S. Niggol Seo (Contact Author)

Lamajel Ling ( email )

Chiang Mai
Thailand

HOME PAGE: http://www.lamajel-ling.com

Robert O. Mendelsohn

Yale University - School of Forestry & Environmental Studies ( email )

195 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
United States

Yale University ( email )

493 College St
New Haven, CT CT 06520
United States
2034325128 (Phone)

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