Agricultural Employment Research Articles

The role of agricultural development and climate change mitigation in the sustainable environment of G20 countries

ABSTRACT The primary objective of the quantitative study is to investigate the impact of agricultural production, agricultural contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), agricultural employment, agricultural land, renewable energy consumption, and growth in carbon dioxide (CO2) emission on the sustainable environment in G20 countries. Therefore, the panel data contains 20 countries from 1991 to 2022. A quantile regression estimation model examined the relationship between explanatory and predictor variables. Therefore, the quantile regression indicated that growth in CO2 emissions and agricultural production have a significant negative impact on the sustainable environment in G20 countries. Furthermore, findings indicate a significant and positive impact of agricultural production on GDP, employment in agriculture, agricultural land, and renewable energy consumption on the sustainable environment in G20 countries. From the understanding of the outcomes of agricultural development and climate change, measures to enhance the accountabilities of the G20 countries to adapt and develop strategies that help improve the sustainability of the environment are profound. The present study demonstrates the opportunities for developing effective strategies to increase food production sustainably and undertake climate change mitigation in G20 countries, underlining the importance of the integrated approach.

Extension management and its role in facing the challenges of using solar energy systems in the agricultural sector from the point of view of agricultural employees in Salah al-Din Governorate / Iraq

Extension management and its role in facing the challenges of using solar energy systems in the agricultural sector from the point of view of agricultural employees in Salah al-Din Governorate / Iraq

Exploring youth perceptions in choosing employment in the agricultural production sector in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

Engaging youth in agricultural production is essential, particularly given the high unemployment rates among young people in Sub-Saharan Africa, which reached 13.1% (International Labour Organization [ILO], ILO Employment Bull 45(3):13–19, 2020. 10.1016/j.iloemp.2020.045003). This study uses logistic regression analysis to explore the factors influencing youth decisions to pursue agriculture as a means of reducing unemployment which is escalating. Morogoro Municipal Council in Tanzania was selected for the study due to its strategic location and semi-migrant youth population. A sample of 159 respondents participated in a survey to understand their perceived choices in agricultural employment. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire survey. Data analysis used logistic regression model. The analysis identified several statistically significant predictors. Notably, being male (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.48804, p < 0.01) and having an agricultural background (OR = 0.59836, p < 0.01) were associated with decreased odds of youth choosing agricultural production sector as an employer. Conversely, higher income (OR = 0.164406, p < 0.01) and access to credit (OR = 0.90387, p < 0.01) significantly increased the likelihood of youth engaging in agricultural production sector. Other significant factors included access to extension services, farm size, participation in agricultural workshops, and farming experience, all positively influencing youth choices. In contrast, higher education levels were negatively associated with agricultural engagement. These findings provide valuable insights for developing targeted policies to encourage youth participation in agriculture and address unemployment.

Foreign investment with agricultural modernization and wage inequality in developing countries: agricultural operation scale matters

ABSTRACT Although the relationship between foreign capital and wage inequality has received intensive attention, evidence has been far from conclusive. We consider this issue from agricultural modernization and operation scale aspects, which are largely ignored. Foreign capital reduces the price of non-agricultural goods, encouraging agriculture to use more intermediate inputs and promoting agricultural modernization. However, intermediate inputs play a distinctive impact on agricultural employment in large- and small-scale agriculture. Theoretical results show foreign investment reduces (conditionally expands) wage inequality in large-(small) scale agriculture. By employing data from China, we calibrate the parameter and obtain an inequality-exacerbating effect in small-scale agriculture economy.

Wind power, industrial agglomeration, and employment structure in China

ABSTRACT Driven by energy policies and environmental goals, China’s wind power sector has experienced rapid expansion over the past decade. Despite the anticipated socioeconomic impacts of wind power construction on local development, empirical evidence remains limited. Using data from the Global Wind Power Tracker, county-level statistics and business registration records from 2010 to 2021, we evaluate the effects of wind power construction on industrial agglomeration and employment structure. Our findings indicate that doubling wind power construction increases the industrial agglomeration level by 2.5% and decreases the agricultural employment share by 7.4%. Mechanism analysis reveals that the urban-rural income gap promotes industrial agglomeration and hinders employment restructuring. Furthermore, the advanced industrial structure unexpectedly mitigates the industrial agglomeration effect. Both effects exhibit regional variations; additionally, the industrial agglomeration effect varies by industry, while the employment structure effect shows a time lag. Notably, while wind power construction drives industrial agglomeration, it simultaneously stimulates technological innovation; while influencing the employment structure, it also prompts labour migration between urban and rural areas. This underscores the importance of considering synergies between the effects of renewable energy on economic development and labour dynamics in policy formulation.

Vulnerability of Agricultural Employment and Climate Change in WAEMU Countries

This article examines the effect of climate change on rural agricultural employment in the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), with a panel analysis covering the period from 2000 to 2021. We use Romer's (1986) endogenous growth model, enriched with the Cobb-Douglass model by drawing on the Dynamic Integrated Climate-Economy (DICE) model by (Nordhaus, 1992 ; 2013). Rising CO2 emissions, drought and floods are leading to a sharp loss of agricultural jobs, especially in rural areas. However, investments in clean technologies help farmers to adapt and preserve some jobs linked to cash and seasonal crops. These results highlight the importance of proactive policies to support agricultural employment, reconciling economic growth, environmental protection and social welfare in the region.

Electricity and ICT in West Africa: Implication for Female Employment

The importance of electricity and ICT access in achieving gender equality andsustainable development cannot be overemphasized. While ICTs tends to createopportunities for women by enabling their participation in social, political andeconomic processes, electricity access alleviates women’s time poverty andcreates opportunities for labour force participation. This study investigates thisassertion by examining the effects of female access to electricity and ICTdiffusion on female employment in sixteen (16) West African countries from1990 to 2020. It disaggregates female employment into three; agriculture,industry and service. The study sources data from World Bank Data Bank andconducts both static analysis (Pooled Effect) and dynamic analysis using PanelARDL procedures of Mean Group (MG), Pooled Mean Group (PMG) andDynamic Fixed Effect (DFE) having confirmed the stationarity of variables.Result from dynamic analysis shows that all variables are positive and they arelong run determinants of female employment in West Africa. Sectoral analysisreveals that female access to electricity discourages female employment inagriculture while it improves female employment in the service sector. On theother hand, ICT diffusion in West African countries impacts female employmentnegatively in the agriculture and industrial sectors but boosts female employmentin the service sector. While female education is a negative determinant of femaleemployment in the highlighted sectors of the economy in the long run, fertilityhas a strong and negative impact on female employment in the three sectors ofthe economy in the short run. It is suggested that governments in West Africancountries should expedite efforts in expanding female energy access throughcapacity building, partnership with local stakeholders and creating a conduciveenvironment for women entrepreneurs. This will ensure a smooth energytransition in the region. Also, the agriculture sector should be formalised toencourage female employment.

The Economic Determinants of Agricultural Value Added: A Panel Data Analysis on E7 Countries

The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in economic growth, employment, and food security. Although E7 countries (Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Turkey) hold a significant share in global agricultural production, there is limited literature on the determinants of agricultural value added. This study aims to analyze the key economic factors affecting agricultural value added in E7 countries and assess the effectiveness of agricultural policies. The study covers the period 2001-2022 and employs the Panel ARDL method to examine long-term relationships. The findings indicate that the proportion of agricultural land and agricultural employment positively impact agricultural value added, whereas government expenditures may have a negative effect. Governments intervene in the agricultural sector through both direct and indirect measures. It can be suggested that direct income support policies for farmers may have the potential to increase dependency rather than enhance productivity. Although a detailed distinction regarding the implementation of direct payments during the analyzed period could not be made, the impact of government support is likely to vary depending on the type and implementation of the assistance provided. The results emphasize the need for more effective planning of agricultural support mechanisms. Redirecting public expenditures towards infrastructure investments, agricultural technology adoption, and rural development projects could enhance the sector’s long-term sustainability. Additionally, improving the transparency and measurability of support policies may increase their effectiveness and strengthen agricultural productivity. Policymakers should conduct a more detailed analysis of the effects of different support mechanisms to develop appropriate intervention strategies.

Refugees' Settlement in Greece: Employment in Agriculture as a Criterion for an Alternative Dispersal Plan

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the settlement of refugees in Greece from the perspective of employment in the agricultural sector and suggests an allocation scheme that could contribute to rural revitalization in the country. Since the demographic challenge and rural depopulation are long‐term issues to be addressed by the Greek state, the authors argue that fast track vocational training and job matching between refugees and farmers could benefit the refugee population and secure the sustainability of agriculture in Greece. The empirical model offers an alternative approach to the allocation of refugees in Greek mainland, considering for their willingness to work in agriculture and the reactions of the natives toward them. The results confirm that the rich regions with migrant networks and agricultural production can absorb a large share of refugees in periods of crisis. The paper extends the literature on the agriculture‐migration nexus in the EUMed with a case of refugee allocation under the lens of labor market integration and rural revitalization.

Optimal farm size reduces global poverty-induced soil antibiotic exposure risk.

Farming activities contribute to soil antibiotic pollution, posing health risks for rural farm workers, especially on small farms in impoverished regions. The effectiveness of large farms in reducing poverty-induced soil antibiotic exposure risk (SABER) remains uncertain. Here we integrate global datasets on concentration of soil antibiotics, rural farm-worker employments and on-farm working hours to quantify SABER. We find that exposure-weighted relative populations are concentrated in underdeveloped regions, particularly East Africa and South and Southeast Asia. A 1,000 ha farm is optimal for SABER reduction, farm employment and working hours, outperforming both smaller and larger farms. Establishing large farms in the top 20% of priority areas can cover 47.3-75.5% of SABER hotspots, while establishing large farms in the top 44% of priority areas achieves the highest coverage of SABER hotspots without substantial declines in rural employment. This approach offers practical strategies to mitigate SABER while maintaining rural farm-worker employment.

Cultivating Security: Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Labor Standards in Argentina and Colombia

Introduction: The main objective is to carry out a bibliographic review. Where we seek to know aspects related to issues that influence the protection of collaborators Argentina and Colombia are two Latin American countries with economies strongly dependent on the agricultural sector, although each faces unique challenges related to sustainability, productivity and safety in agricultural work. In Argentina, agriculture has historically been a fundamental pillar, with production of wheat. However, the country faces challenges in terms of land concentration, sustainability, and job security in the agricultural sector. Argentine rural workers are exposed to what may compromise the safety of workers, agrochemicals and extreme weather conditions. This has generated the need to implement rigorous agricultural safety protocols. On the other hand, Colombia, with its rich agricultural diversity, stands out in wheat production. Despite its success in the international market, the country faces problems of inequality in access to land and challenges related to violence in rural areas. context of the safety of Colombian agricultural workers are also exposed to risks from the use of agrochemicals, extreme agricultural working conditions. Despite legislative progress, effective implementation remains a challenge, especially in areas where ensuring employees understand their rights is prevalent. Both countries, although different in their agricultural contexts and structures, share the challenge of protecting the safety and well-being of employees. Policies must be adapted to better protect agricultural workers, promoting Improving working conditions involves ensuring adequate equipment, continuous training and an environment free of health risks, and addressing the challenges of sustainability and climate change. Argentina and Colombia have great potential in their agricultural sectors, but they need to adopt a comprehensive approach that combines technological innovation, the development of effective public policies and the strengthening of labor security, in order to achieve a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient. Methodology: For this research analysis, a bibliographic and documentary review approach is constructed, identifying the main differences between Argentina and Colombia in relation to the agricultural economy. This approach allows us to examine the policies, regulations and working conditions in both countries, with a specific focus on agricultural workers. Results: It was concluded that both Argentina and Colombia have current legal regulations to prevent accidents and protect the well-being of agricultural employees, promoting safe work environments for workers in the sector. Both nations have established regulatory frameworks that seek to guarantee and promote a safe and healthy work environment from the use of agrochemicals, heavy machinery and the extreme conditions of the agricultural environment.

Real exchange rate changes and employment in emerging economies: Sectorial analysis

This study attempts to assess the reaction of sectorial employment shares to real exchange rate (RER) changes in 19 emerging economies over the period 1992–2020. To this end, a panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model was used. First, our findings reveal that the effects of RER changes on sectorial employment shares are neutral in the short run and significant in the long run. Second, this effect differs between sectors; whereas undervalued currencies boost employment in agriculture and services sectors, they hamper it in industry sectors, and vice versa. These results could be very helpful for governments that need to know in advance the effect of RER’s adjustments on the employment market, especially when they decide to tackle unemployment via this tool.

The level of knowledge of agricultural employees in the advanced change strategy for the employees’ crop in Kirkuk Governorate

The level of knowledge of agricultural employees in the advanced change strategy for the employees’ crop in Kirkuk Governorate

Scenario Planning for Future Development of Rural Areas in Iran: Case of Rural Areas Around the City of Varzegan

Development in rural areas is affected by internal and external factors. These factors are making the structure of the system within which decisions are made. Since the policies and decisions adopted in rural plans affect the process of development in the rural areas, the role of them has been considered in the future of rural areas in Iran. Different scenarios and options have been suggested with the use of GIS to clarify the future outcome of these decisions. This study selected three rural areas around the city of Varzegan to consider the effect of both internal and external factors in the future of these areas. Internal factors directly influenced by the independent variable (Population Growth Rate suggested in rural plans), while external factor is beyond the control of it and affects it. Scenario sets shows that the rural area’s sustainability is affected by the population growth rate (actor of the structure), the damages in agricultural lands and employment composition. This fact is not considered in rural plans of Iran because of the need for residential areas due to reverse migration.

Energy Use and Economic Growth Nexus in Central Africa: A Longitudinal Analysis (1990-2023)

This research examines the interconnection between energy consumption and economic expansion in Central Africa, utilizing advanced econometric methods to guarantee accurate and dependable outcomes. The findings reveal that energy usage and carbon emissions positively impact economic growth, whereas alternative nuclear energy sources have an adverse effect. In contrast, renewable electricity production and agricultural employment showed no significant impact. Notably, a 1% increase in energy consumption yields a 0.4169% rise in economic growth, and a 1% increase in CO2 emissions results in a 0.0669% growth. Cointegration analysis confirmed a long-term equilibrium relationship among these variables at a 1 % significance level, indicating that all the variables are cointegrated. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on energy consumption, economic growth, and environmental policies, offering robust evidence of their dynamic interplay. The results align with existing research, providing fresh insights and informing policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders about the intricate relationships between energy use, growth, and environmental sustainability in Central Africa.

Long‐Run and Short‐Run Impacts of Climate Change on Food and Agricultural Production in Africa: Any Role for Political Stability?

ABSTRACTClimate change and political instability have implications for food and agricultural production. Africa is often described as one of the most vulnerable continents to the impacts of climate change, political instability, and conflicts. However, empirical evidence on the impacts of climate change, political instability, and violent conflicts on food and agricultural production is scanty and mixed. A better understanding of the impacts of climate change and political instability on food and agricultural production on the continent is needed to achieve some of the sustainable development goals. This paper investigates the impacts of climate change and political instability on food and agricultural production in Africa. The study relied on panel data from 43 countries spanning a period of 20 years (2000–2019). The data were obtained from the World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, World Development Indicators, and FAOSTAT databases. Using the panel autoregressive distributed lag model, we find that the annual maximum number of consecutive dry days, temperature, and rainfall data significantly decreased the food production index, livestock production index, cereal production, and crop production index in the long run. Also, we find that total greenhouse gas emissions significantly increased the food production index, livestock production index, cereal production, total fisheries production, and crop production index in the long run. Political stability significantly increased the livestock production index, cereal production, and total fisheries production in the long run, while employment in agriculture significantly increased the food production index, crop production index, and total fisheries production in the long run. We conclude that climate change and political stability impact agricultural production in Africa.

Agricultural Employer Perspectives on Occupational Wildfire Smoke Rules

ABSTRACT Objectives The purpose of the study was to examine the perspectives of agricultural employers and managers regarding wildfire smoke-related occupational health and safety protections. The aims were to (1) explore implementation and evaluation of the Washington (WA) State Department of Labor and Industries Wildfire Smoke Rule, (2) develop a survey to explore perspectives on the rule, and (3) examine the relationship between occupational roles and knowledge and training received related to components of the rule. Methods We used exploratory sequential mixed methods, including key informant interviews with industry stakeholders, survey design, and online survey administration for agricultural employers and managers. Thematic analysis of interviews informed survey design. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze survey results. Results Our team interviewed seven agricultural industry stakeholders. Three themes were identified: (1) competing demands and regulation fatigue, (2) workplace attitude and culture, and (3) suggestions for rule implementation and evaluation. Themes and components of the smoke rule were used to develop the survey. Of the 128 survey respondents, almost half (45.1%) reported owner or grower as their role and 39.3% reported supervisors or managers. Over half (51.6%) of respondents reported fewer than 25 employees in their workplace and 17.2% reported 250 or more employees. Respondents were from multiple WA counties and worked with various crops. Most employers and workers they supervise reported wildfire smoke exposure at work and related adverse symptoms. Almost one-third of respondents reported they had not heard of the smoke rule (33.3%). Over half of respondents have not received training on managing workers with smoke-related symptoms (53.9%). About one-third has not received training on air quality monitoring (40.0%), health effects of exposure (36.8%), and implementing protective controls (31.0%). Differences in knowledge and training on rule components by occupational role were insignificant. Conclusion Findings identify gaps in awareness and training regarding protection from wildfire smoke in the agricultural workplace, especially around symptom recognition and management. Barriers to implementing protective controls in the workplace were identified. Findings will inform targeted outreach and educational toolkits for the agricultural industry and support the development and evaluation of protective occupational health rules.

The impact of climate variability on agricultural employment in Mexico from 1980-2017.

Employment in the agricultural sector is highly dependent on climate. Most agricultural jobs worldwide rely on predictable precipitation, in terms of both quantity and seasonality. Mexico is a largely agrarian country, with at least 20 million people directly reliant on food production for the livelihoods. However, research on the relationship between climate variability and agrarian employment is limited in the nation, complicating the development of effective adaptation strategies to drought and climate change. This study aims to address this gap, by analyzing the employment changes of farmers and livestock producers at a national level in the past five decades (1980 to 2017) and its relationship to long-term precipitation variability. We employed governmental datasets from national agrarian surveys and national precipitation, both at the annual scale and seasonally within each year. We found a negative relationship between agricultural employment and total annual precipitation. In particular, employment in the livestock sector showed a negative correlation with current-year precipitation (p = 0.06, cor = -0.33), while employment in rainfed agriculture was linked to the previous year's rainfall (p = 0.07, cor = -0.33). It is likely that this pattern was driven by the positive relationship of precipitation with planted cropland area (p<0.05, cor = 0.19) and agrarian income (p<0.05, cor = 0.18). We also found that as many as 10 million people left the agrarian employments each year during the dry season. Finally, as precipitation continues to pose a challenge, it may have contributed to people of ages 23 to 35 to leave in recent years, compared to 15 and 19 in the 1990s. These findings underscore the need for national policies to mitigate the impacts of dry years on livelihoods and to inform strategies for building resilience in the agricultural sector.

Rural Youth Aspirations in the Face of Environmental, Economic and Social Pressures: Transformation in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta

Abstract Farming communities in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) face a range of socio-economic and environmental pressures. With out-migration and changing career opportunities, many young people are unwilling to remain in agriculture and prefer careers elsewhere due to poor perceptions of farming as a career. To better understand the educational choices and career aspirations of rural youth in the VMD and the contextual factors affecting these choices, we used an online survey and several focus group discussions to consult university students about their selection of university major, their career aspirations, the role of climate change and other pressures, and opportunities available to alleviate these pressures. Farming itself was an unattractive career pathway, though agricultural services, research and extension were relatively popular. Climate change may reduce agricultural employment prospects, requiring some respondents to pursue other, less impacted careers. Other pressures reported included a lack of certain workplace skills; gendered differences in career prospects and sectors; inadequate personal networks; and COVID-19 economic impacts. Government and private sector initiatives may help alleviate these pressures via educational, financial and entrepreneurial support, valourising diverse career pathways, and ensuring improved inclusivity for youth in rural communities.

Does Climate Change Hinder Women's Participation in the Labour Market in Africa?

ABSTRACTClimate change remains a global threat whose disparate and controversial impacts over the past three decades have fuelled an extremely fertile literature. In this article, we analyse its effects on women's participation in the labour market (WPLM) based on a sample of 48 African countries. For this purpose, we consider two dimensions of climate change (temperature and rainfall), then specify and estimate a dynamic panel data model using the System Generalised Method of Moments (S‐GMM) over the period 2000–2019. Our results show that approximate climate change significantly reduces women's labour market participation in Africa due to exposure to greater vulnerability, particularly with respect to agriculture, which is their main source of income. The robustness of the results is demonstrated by the women's sectoral employment in agriculture, industry and services through Africa. We suggest the effectiveness of sustainable climate policies to consolidate and ensure better integration of women in the labour market and improve the gender equity in the African workforce.