Chapter 2 - Agricultural Labor Demand

Abstract

Agriculture is different from most other sectors of the economy, because many months elapse from planting to harvest, and farms receive many of their inputs from nature without cost. The dilemma is that nature's supplies of these inputs are uncertain. Thus, so is agricultural labor demand. This chapter discusses the determinants of labor demand in agriculture; why farm labor demand is often so seasonal and volatile; and the implications for agricultural producers, workers, and policymakers.