1) The study examines whether maintaining crop diversity on smallholder farms in Ethiopia generates benefits that incentivize farmers to conserve plant genetic resources in situ. 2) Using panel data from 1500 households over 2000-2005 and weather data, the study estimates productivity and diversity models. 3) The results show that higher crop diversity leads to increased productivity, especially in years with unfavorable rainfall, indicating crop diversity provides a buffer against weather risks. This suggests crop diversity provides on-farm benefits that can encourage in situ conservation.