Unemployment in agriculture and opportunities for and contributions of off-farm employment to rural economy: A case study from southwestern Bangladesh

Abstract

Based on a year data collected over 1 year from a sample of 200 households living in a village in southwestern Bangladesh, the present study examines the prevalence of higher rates of unemployment and underemployment in agriculture particularly among the landless and small farmers and sharecroppers. When compared with the existing previous data from other parts of the country, growing rates of unemployment and underemployment in agriculture were evidenced. Population pressure, landlessness, environmental constraints, and technological changes in agriculture are some of the causes of unemployment in farming. Both male, female, and child laborers in the farm household perform various amounts and types of off-farm work to supplement low farm income. Off-farm income accounted for 66% of the family income. Contributions of female and child labor are significant. Education and urbanization show positive effects on the availability of off-farm work as well as off-farm income.