Livestock holdings in rural areas of the West African Semi-arid Tropics (WASAT) are often substantial yet there is little evidence for precautionary saving in the form of livestock. This paper re-visits farm households' ability to smooth consumption ex post via savings in the form of livestock....

This dissertation includes three empirical essays on development economics and one on the economics of education. The first essay (co-authored by Stephan Klasen) is a contribution to the debate surrounding the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the on-going debate about what international...

Die Nutztierhaltung in Deutschland hat sich in den letzten Jahrzehnten zu einem wirtschaftlich sehr erfolgreichen Sektor entwickelt. Es wurden große Fortschritte in Bezug auf die Ressourceneffizienz erzielt. Gleichzeitig gibt es erhebliche Defizite vor allem im Bereich Tierschutz, aber auch im...

Management is an important input into agricultural production, as it a determinant of the uptake and proper implementation of productive technologies and practices. While there is a large literature on evaluations of extension programs meant to improve management practices in agricultural...

Livestock holdings in rural areas of the West African Semi-arid Tropics (WASAT) are often substantial yet there is little evidence for precautionary saving in the form of livestock out of transitory income. The present paper re-visits farm households' ability to smooth consumption ex post via...

The world is currently experiencing average high temperatures and low precipitation, frequent droughts and scarcity of both ground and surface water. The damaging effects of global climate change are increasing and most damages are predicted to occur in developing countries due to their...

The history of animal trade -- Trade policies for animal products -- Trade wars, sanctions and discrimination -- Trade in meat -- Trade in some key animal products: dairy, wool and fur -- Trade in live farm animals -- Disease transmission and biodiversity loss through the trade in farm animals...