An analysis of the relationship between farming capability of farmers and farm Household Income

Abstract

Improving farming activity competence of farm households has recently been considered one of the most important factors for increasing farm income. However, few studies examine the relationship between farm income and farming activity competence of farm households directly due to the lack of an available dataset. In this study, we examine the relationship between farm household technical·managerial competence and farm household income based on the nearly 30,000 farm households consulting data gathered by the Rural Development Administration, RDA. The major findings of this study are as follows: firstly, statistically significant differences in agricultural and farm household income exist between farm households categorized by farm activity competence levels in terms of technique and management. Secondly, a technically and managerially competent farm household group (high-rank farm household) has 2.2 times higher agricultural income and 1.9 times higher farm household income than the technically and managerially incompetent farm household group (low-rank farm household). Thirdly, farm household technical-managerial competence is one of the major factors that affect agricultural and farm household income. Regarding technical competence, agricultural income and farm household income increased by approximately 1,390,000 won and 1,530,000 won, respectively, as technical points increased by one point. However, with respect to managerial competence, agricultural income and farm household income increased by approximately 1,320,000 won and 2,070,000 won, respectively, as managerial points increased by one point.