Crop-diversity and Cereal Production under the CAP Reform: Evidence from Italy

The paper offers empirical evidence on the relationship between inter-species diversity and production within a panel of agricultural firms operating in the cereal sector over the period 2004-2007. A Cobb-Douglas agricultural production function is estimated using different panel estimation methods which make it possible to control for the dynamic structure of agricultural production and for regressors’ endogeneity. We find evidence of a significant relationship between biodiversity and production, confirming the stability-diversity hypothesis. Additionally, the analysis supports the effectiveness of the new CAP intervention measures in sustaining farmers’ revenues.