As part of the academic research seminar series being held at Addis Ababa University, in collaboration with the Environmental Economics Policy Forum for Ethiopia (EEPFE), a research seminar entitled “Is it the Climate or the Weather?” was conducted at the Eshetu Chole hall of Addis Ababa University on April 24, 2014.
EEPFE research associate, Mintewab Bezabih from London School of Economics has presented a research work on the Differential economic impacts of climatic factors in Ethiopia, a study conducted by herself together with EEPFE research associate Salvatore Di Falco and EEPFE Center Director and Senior research fellow, Alemu Mekonnen.
The paper showed the distinct impacts of weather and climate change measures on agricultural revenue of farm households in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. The major findings show that temperature effects are distinctly non-linear but only when the weather measures are combined with the extreme ends of the distribution of the climate measures. Contrary to expectations in rain-fed agriculture, the study found that rainfall generally has less important role to play than temperature.
The audience enjoyed the presentation, noted that the paper has good contributions to the literature and policy formulation. Since such seminars create interactions among researchers and motivate students to engage in research, participants also forwarded comments for further refinement of the paper. Mr. Hailu Elias from School of Economics of Addis Ababa University facilitated the discussion.
EEPFE research associate Yonas Alem, and research fellows Abebe Damte and Adane Tufa were among the attendees of the seminar.
By Goshu Tefera