Explaining changes in maize yields among smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa with survey and remote sense data

Summary, in English

In this paper we use panel survey data on African smallholders and combine these with remotely sensed data to explore the possibilities of integrated explanations of maize (corn) yields and their development over time. We explore if such data can be used attain a transboundary explanation of smallholder yields, thus combining geo- and biophysical data with socio-economic ones. We show that, at this level of resolution (250 x 250 m), the vegetation index (NDVI) contributes very little to an explanation of both yield levels and change. To reach more powerful explanations researchers need to incorporate socio-economic parameters in their models.

• Författare: Göran Djurfeldt; Ola Hall; Maria Archila; Björn Holmquist; Sultana Nasrin; Magnus Jirström
• Avdelning/ar: Institutionen för kulturgeografi och ekonomisk geografi; Statistiska institutionen
• Publiceringsår: 2017-04-06
• Språk: Engelska
• Dokumenttyp: Working paper
• Ämne: Social and Economic Geography
• Nyckelord: sub-Saharan Africa; maize (corn); yields; household panel survey data; remote sensing; MODIS sensor; NDVI
• Status: Submitted