Abstract
Year‐by‐year variability in crop yields is known to prejudice the survival of peasant farmers, but there is little in the published literature to quantitate the effect. A simple computer model has been used to demonstrate that the ill effects of year‐by‐year variability fall mainly on the poorest farmers with little buffer stock or excess yields over their basic needs. When the year‐by‐year variability in the crop yield is 20% (coefficient of variation), a moderate level of buffer stock gives a high level of safety. When the variability rises to 40%, much larger buffer stocks are needed and these achieve only a lower level of security. These results suggest that a review of data on the levels and effects of year‐by‐year variation in crop yields should provide valuable information on methods of increasing security of peasant farmers.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
