Abstract
ABSTRACTThis paper assesses the role of the non-farm sector in rural development in Lesotho. Evidence from studies in developing countries indicates that agriculture was formerly used as the main source of livelihood for many people in poor countries. However, due to the decline in agricultural productivity (which results in poverty and food insecurity) caused by unfavourable agro-climatic conditions, many people are turning to non-farm activities as a means of making a living. Therefore, non-farm incomes are used to provide the means of sustenance for many people. However, little attention has hitherto been paid to improving the rural non-farm sector as an alternative or complementary rural development strategy in Lesotho. This research paper uses quantitative research methods to analyse the available data. The main research findings suggest that many people make a living out of non-farm incomes. As a result, this paper proposes that the rural non-farm sector should be given more priority by the government in rural development in Lesotho.
Highlights
Rural areas of developing countries are confronted with many challenges including poverty, unemployment and food insecurity
The results indicate that respondents derive an average of · % of their livelihood from non-farm incomes, while agriculture accounts for Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core
The high average percentage of incomes derived from the non-farm sector can be explained by low agricultural productivity that often results in food insecurity in Lesotho
Summary
Rural areas of developing countries are confronted with many challenges including poverty, unemployment and food insecurity (see Dixon ). These social problems are attributed to the decline in agricultural productivity due to agro-climatic conditions (Reardon ) and other economic factors such as reduction of agricultural subsidies to small scale farmers by governments. According to Lanjouw & Lanjouw ( ), the rural non-farm sector can be defined as all Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. Income generating activities including income in-kind that are not agricultural but are located in rural areas In addition to this definition, Reardon ( : ) defines non-farm income as income from local non-farm wage employment, local non-farm self-employment, and migration income. The rural non-farm sector entails a diversity of activities that includes commerce, manufacturing and services (Nowak )
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
