Crop, Culture and Conflict in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This paper provides an empirical exploration of the “rice theory of culture” which implies that rice cultivation promotes a culture of cooperation and peace. Using fine-grained, cross sectional data geocoded at 0.5 degree latitude by 0.5 degree longitude, I investigate whether rice cultivation is associated with civil conflict in sub-Saharan Africa and whether the results are more pronounced in regions with a longer history of rice cultivation, such as West Africa. I use a wide range of variables to define conflict, using data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED). In addition, I use agricultural data from the Spatial Production and Allocation Model (SPAM) for the year 2005. Overall, I find that areas that grow rice show lower instances of conflict. This result is even more pronounced for the West African region. The results are consistent with the predictions of the rice theory.