Farm Household Members Research Articles

Place-based rural development programs and the labor allocation of farm households

PurposeRural development programs are widely used policy instruments mitigating rural-urban economic disparities. Yet, little research has examined their effect on rural labor. This study fills this knowledge gap by quantifying the causal impact of such programs on the labor allocation of farm households in Taiwan.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical framework based on the agricultural household model is constructed to guide the empirical specification. A unique dataset compiles administrative data on the program’s subsidies with farm household surveys across seven years. To cope with endogeneity bias, an instrumental variables model is applied. The eligibility rule for a township to participate in the program is used as the instrument.FindingsWe find that the program increases the labor supply of farm household members. These effects are more pronounced for off-farm work, particularly non-heads of farm households. The program’s subsidies supporting culture and promotion-related activities have larger effects. Finally, females benefited more from the program.Originality/valueWe focus on farm households since this group is the target of place-based rural development programs. In addition, we identify the causal impact of place-based development programs on rural labor. Finally, this study is relevant to the literature on intra-household models by demonstrating that place-based rural development programs can affect the labor supply of farm household members.

Dietary diversity, nutritional status, and agricultural commercialization: evidence from adult men of rural farm households.

Access to healthy and affordable diet hinged on the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 2, higher productivity and, economic prosperity while it is difficult for a poorly nourished people to achieve optimum production of goods and services. This study assessed whether dietary diversity (DD) and nutritional status of adult men are associated with crop commercialization index (CCI) levels of agricultural households in two states of Southwestern Nigeria. This research utilized 352 farm households, comprising 277 adult male members. The individual version of dietary diversity score (DDS) of 9 food groups was used to calculate adult men's DDS over a 24-h recall. Anthropometric data was obtained using body mass index (BMI) while CCI levels was estimated for each agricultural household. Logistic regression and ordered logit models were used to examine the determinants of adult men's dietary diversity and nutritional status respectively. Hundred percent of adult men consumed starchy staples, with 11.2% consuming egg, 5.8% milk and milk products and 0.4% consuming organ meat over 24-h recall. Adult men of CCI 2 and CCI 4 agricultural households recorded overweight prevalence of >20% in Ogun state while the association between DDS and CCI was statistically insignificant suggesting that being a member of any of the CCI households may not guarantee the consumption of healthy diets among adult men. From Logit regression analysis, it is more likely for adult men with higher farm size to attain the minimum DDS of 4 food groups than those with smaller size of farmland (OR = 4.78; 95% CI: 1.94, 11.76; p = 0.001). The age, farm experience, and cassava marketing experience were positively related to the likelihood of obtaining the minimum DDS. For adult men to achieve a healthy diet, their diet pattern must incorporate a more diversified intake of food from different food groups capable of improving their nutritional status. This study emphasized the need for relevant stakeholders to provide adequate nutrition knowledge intervention programmes capable of improving the diets and nutrition of adult men and other members of farm households.

Preparing for, coping with and bouncing back after shocks. A nuanced resilience assessment for smallholder farms and farmers in Northern Ghana

ABSTRACTSmallholder farmers in Northern Ghana regularly face shocks, challenging the sustainability of their farms and livelihoods. Different farm households and household members may be differently affected and respond with different coping strategies. We combined whole-farm modelling and farmer consultations to investigate the vulnerability, buffer and adaptive capacity of three farm types in Northern Ghana towards severe climate, economic and social shocks. We further assessed intra-household differences in respective risk mitigation and coping strategies. Our model results indicate that the drought shock would most severely affect all farm types, drastically reducing their operating profits and soil organic matter balance. The medium resource endowed farm was most affected by shocks, but all farm types could enhance their capacity to recover by adopting technology packages for sustainable intensification. Gendered coping strategies included livestock sales, post-harvest storage, activating social networks, rice processing and the collection, processing and sales of wild nuts and fruits. Farmers reported to aim at becoming more resilient by increasing their herd size and expanding their farmland, thereby risking to increase rather than reduce the pressure on natural resources. New questions arise concerning the carrying capacity of local ecosystems and resilience at community and landscape level.

Agricultural diversification and intra-household dietary diversity: Panel data analysis of farm households in Bangladesh.

This paper investigates the associations between agricultural diversification and dietary diversity among men, women and children of farm households in Bangladesh. Using three waves of nationally representative Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS- 2011-12, 2015 and 2018) data and a panel data model, the study found that agricultural production diversification can emphasize the dietary diversification across the life cycle of farm household members. The balanced panel data reveals that agricultural production diversification has a statistically significant and positive impact on dietary diversity of individual members (men, women and children) of farm households. Moreover, other important factors that impact on agricultural diversification and improve dietary diversity like women's education and employment, commercialization of farm households, access to non-farm income sources, and access to information facilities also have a strong association in improving dietary status, food and nutritional security as well. Although there is currently limited diversity in the diets of adult men, women and children of rural farm households, the situation can be improved over time with proper and consistent support. The findings suggest policy interventions should target not only agricultural diversification but also improve women's education and on and off farm employment opportunities and facilitate better access to information for rural households. These recommendations can support improved dietary diversity for all household members under different settings.

The Relationship between Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases of Fish Farm Household Members and Production Efficiency: The Case of Ghana

Prior studies explored the production and technical efficiency of fish farms and farmers from the perspectives of factors such as credit access and cooperative membership. We focused on the chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) of household members and their quantitative impacts on fish farm production efficiency, based on data of earthen pond fish farms from two regions (Bono East and Ashanti) in Ghana. A data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the IV Tobit technique were employed for the study's analysis. From the study's observations, we draw the following conclusions. We found that the NCDs of household members indeed reduce farm production efficiency, and the heterogeneous impact of the NCDs of female members on farm production efficiency was more prominent than that of male members. Insights from this study suggest that the national government should provide farmers with the necessary medical care through the provision of subsidized health insurance, which can facilitate access to healthcare services. Moreover, NGOs and governments should encourage health literacy, i.e., organizing programs aimed at educating farmers on NCDs and their impact on agriculture.

AD|ARC (Administrative Data Agri-Research Collection): Linking Individual, Household and Farm Business Data for Agricultural Research.

ObjectivesTo create an anonymised data resource of farm households in the UK to generate evidence to support policy development, implementation and evaluation; improve understanding of farm family socio-economic characteristics; and assist all stakeholders interested in understanding about the health and well-being, resilience and prosperity and spatial properties of farming communities. ApproachThe AD|ARC resource is being created in each UK country. The core dataset comprises of linking together existing agricultural datasets (farm business activity data, Rural Payments data) the Inter Departmental Business Register and the Population Census. This hub dataset is linked to the health and education data available in each country. The research is being conducted in a separate but coordinated way across the UK, harmonising the data to allow aggregation to a UK level where possible. Our research objectives are in four broad categories of Socio-Demographics, Health and Well-being, Prosperity and Resilience and Environment and Place. ResultsThe presentation will report on initial findings from the socio-demographic research theme where researchers have investigated the composition and characteristics of farming households both in terms of the farm business (e.g. farm type, turnover, active farm diversification) and individual characteristics (e.g. age, educational attainment, off-farm income streams). From this analysis it will be possible to determine the degree of homogeneity that exists within the farming population for key indicators, the degree of homogeneity that exists amongst the broader group of farm households members for key indicators, and the extent to which farmers and farm household members conform to the socio-economic characteristics of the non-farming rural population. Results will be assessed for policy relevance and areas of ongoing investigation will be highlighted. ConclusionAgriculture is currently facing a range of challenges with little known about the impact on farmers and farming households. AD|ARC introduces a new, powerful and versatile resource that will inform debate and policy decision-makers, potentially leading to better outcomes on a range of issues relevant to farmers and farming communities.

Exploring dietary diversity, nutritional status of adolescents among farm households in Nigeria: do higher commercialization levels translate to better nutrition?

PurposeThis study aims to explore dietary diversity (DD) and nutritional status of adolescents among rural farm households in Southwestern Nigeria. It analyses whether higher commercialization levels of farm households translate to better nutrition.Design/methodology/approachThis study was conducted in Ogun and Oyo States of Southwestern Nigeria, using primary data from 352 farm households with a total of 160 adolescent members. The individual version of dietary diversity score (DDS) of nine food groups was used to calculate adolescent DDS over a 24-h recall period. World Health Organization AnthroPlus software was used in analyzing adolescents’ anthropometric data (height-for-age z-score and body mass index-for-age z-score) while household crop commercialization index (CCI) was estimated for each farm household. Separate logit models were used to examine the drivers of adolescents’ DD and malnutrition.FindingsThe study findings indicated that 100% of the adolescents consumed starchy staples while 0%, 3.1% and 12.5% consumed organ meat, milk/milk products and eggs, respectively. Results revealed that 74.1% and 21.2% of boys were stunted and thin while the prevalence in adolescent girls was 50.7% and 9.3%, respectively. Prevalence of stunting was found to be very high (60%–83%) in all the four CCI levels’ households indicating that belonging to highly commercialized households (CCI 3–4) may not necessarily translate to better nutrition of adolescent members. Food expenditure (p < 0.01) and access to piped water (p < 0.01) negatively influenced adolescents’ stunting mainly because of lower expenditure on food items and lower percent of household having access to piped water, respectively, while education (p < 0.01) had positive effects on adolescents’ DD.Originality/valuePrevious studies have contributed to the body of knowledge concerning the link between agricultural commercialization and nutrition using under-five children of the households. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that investigated the influence of CCI on DDS and nutritional status of adolescent members of farm households in Nigeria. This study fills this existing knowledge gap in investigating adolescents’ DD and malnutrition among smallholder farm households.

Determinants of Livelihood Diversification among the Thadou-Kukis of Manipur, India

This paper examined livelihood diversifications among the Thadou-Kuki tribes of Manipur using the Simpson index and also finds out the determinant of livelihood diversification using multiple regression. The study uses household-level data collected from a census survey of 15 villages scattered across three Thadou-Kuki dominated districts. The mean Simpson Diversity Index (SDI) value is 0.42 that indicates most of the households diversify moderately and livelihood diversifications are mainly for meeting their subsistence need rather than for accumulation. The multiple regression results show that the distance of the village from the market, number of farm household members, number of non-farm household members, wet-land area, and access to forest resources positively impacts the livelihood diversification, and average educational attainment of workers and cash cropland negatively impacts the livelihood diversification

Onion Farmers’ Plight and Price Hike of Onion in Bangladesh: A Human Development Crisis in Corona Pandemic

Smallholder family farmers cannot gain from the price hike of onion, which has become a regular phenomenon in contemporary Bangladesh. Instead, they undergo losses in onion farming, mainly for two reasons˗ incurring high input costs and getting deprived of a fair price of the produce. This livelihood problem has become acute in the Corona Pandemic and negatively impacted the human development of household members of smallholder onion farmers. Proactive public policy and actions are needed so that the smallholder family farming households engaged in onion farming can expand their production at a low cost and end with a lucrative margin. It will ultimately lead to a sustainable solution of recurring onion price hikes in the country and contribute to the human development of the members of smallholder onion farm households

The rural–urban income divide among farm households: the role of off-farm work and farm size

PurposeThe determinants of income of rural and urban farm households, with emphasis on the role of off-farm employment by farm household members and of farm size, are examined using data from the 2016 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) and quantile regression procedure. The implemented quantile regression technique is extended to allow for the decomposition of the income gap between the two groups of farm households. Findings indicate, regardless of the location of the farm, a positive and significant impact of a previous year's participation in off-farm work by household members on the distribution of current household income. Having operated a larger-sized farm in the previous year is shown with a similar effect in the upper range of the income distribution for urban households and with a comparable impact but across the whole income distribution for rural farm households.Design/methodology/approachData from the 2016 ARMS are used in conjunction with quantile regression in order for decomposition of the income gap between the two groups of farm households.FindingsFindings show that urban farm households who in a previous year have participated in off-farm work and operated larger-sized farms tend to earn higher incomes. Results further indicate higher rates of return to education for “urban” farm households in comparison to “rural” farm households, particularly for those with a college education and beyond who are at the lower portion of the income distribution.Research limitations/implicationsTo the extent that the ARMS is an annual cross-sectional data, the temporal impacts of factors that potentially may influence the incomes of farm households in urban and rural areas cannot be measured.Practical implicationsFindings from this research indirectly support previous published research where higher earnings by urban US population were documented in comparison to rural population and where earnings tend to rise as a result of participation in off-farm work and in expanding the size of the farming operation; this is in addition to the procurement of higher education.Social implicationsThe results of a higher rate of return to education for “urban” farm households in comparison to “rural” farm households have important policy implications for policymakers.Originality/valueThis is the first paper in the agricultural economic literature that implements a method of assessing the rural–urban divide across all of the quantiles of income distribution.

Income pattern and consumption behavior of farm households in Punjab

An enquiry into the income pattern and consumption behavior of agricultural households of Punjab was conducted. The data was collected from three agro-climatic zones of Punjab in which 50 farmers were selected randomly from each zone making total sample of 150 farmers. The results revealed that income, consumption and savings increase with increase in farm size. The sources of farm household income were crops (78.08%), livestock (13.00%) and non-farm sources (8.92%). The share of farm income in the total income in zone I, II and III was 70.08, 76.33 and 87.47 per cent, respectively. Average consumption expenditure per household was Rs. 166124, with major share of food items (52.61%). The annual availability of post consumption funds was least (34.19%) on marginal farms and highest (87.88%) on large farms. These funds were highest (Rs. 547533/household) in zone II and least (Rs. 390351/household) in zone III. Consumption to income ratio (C:I ratio) for farm households was 1:4 while for marginal and large farm households was 1:1.5 and 1:8, respectively, which highlights vulnerability of marginal farmers. The study also highlights the prevalence of high income inequality among farm households in Punjab agriculture. The Gini coefficient came out to be 0.49. It is suggested that the government should ensure policies which support marginal and small farmers in livestock sector. It was also suggested to promote skill development centers which can help family members of farm households to work in non-farm sector.

Welfare effect of organic fertilizer use in Ghana

Most soils in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are substantially degraded and are in need of restoration to enhance sustainable food production. This is a harder problem given that population is projected to increase with a corresponding increase in demand for food. Organic fertilizer can improve soil health by reducing the rate of nutrient leaching. However, there are limited studies on the economic effect of organic fertilizer use in SSA. Lack of in-depth understanding of the economics of organic fertilizer use and the welfare effect has the tendency to mislead policy. This paper employs the double selection and propensity score matching techniques to analyze the welfare impacts of organic fertilizer use. The results show that organic fertilizer use significantly increases the log of productivity and crop income by 1.43 and US$132 respectively and reduce total household expenditure, food expenditure and poverty by US$174, US$58, and 8% respectively. Disaggregation of the results based on landholdings and household size suggest that adopters of organic fertilizer with large farm size and household members recorded the lowest probability of being poor. Findings of this study demonstrate that the gains in the use of organic fertilizer can be consolidated with complementary input support and increased market participation.

Toward Improving the Design of Sustainability Standards—A Gendered Analysis of Farmers’ Preferences

Summary Recently, sustainability standards have gained in importance for export crops produced in developing countries. Several studies analyzed whether such standards deliver on their promise to improve the livelihoods of poor farmers, with mixed results. Here, we ask whether the design of standards could be improved such that farm households benefit more. An assessment of what particular features of standards hamper or facilitate participation requires a better understanding of farmers’ preferences. Our contribution is twofold: First, based on a choice experiment we analyze how farmers evaluate actual and hypothetical features of standards. Data were collected from small-scale coffee producers in Uganda. Second, this is the first quantitative study on standards employing a gendered research design. A gender focus is important, because coffee and other certified export crops are often controlled by men. The choice experiment included features of standards aimed at reducing gender inequality and was conducted separately with male and female members of farm households. Results indicate that farmers have positive attitudes toward sustainability standards in general. While they dislike bans of productivity-enhancing inputs, agricultural training and special female support are appreciated. Many also see requirements that have to be met for certification as a welcome nudge to invest in better farm management and quality upgrading. Female farmers have a higher preference for standards than male farmers. Also within households, significant preference heterogeneity between women and men is found.

"I Would Go if My Arm Were Hanging off": A Qualitative Study of Healthcare-Seeking Behaviors of Small Farm Owners in Central New York State.

Compared to their rural non-farming peers, farmers are less likely to access preventive healthcare services; however, the reasons for this disparity are poorly understood. We conducted semi-structured interviews with a total of 30 farm household members in central New York. Interview topics included farming identity, perceptions of one's health, past experiences with acute and preventive healthcare, and attitudes toward seeking healthcare services. Grounded Theory analysis of the interview transcripts revealed that (1) utilizing healthcare services is felt to be in conflict with the farming identity, (2) the need to conserve time and money for farm applications poses a barrier to healthcare utilization, (3) farmers decide to seek healthcare when they believe it is necessary to ensure survival of the farm, and (4) the decision to seek healthcare is most strongly driven by the presence of intolerable symptoms, prompting from others, and the perception that treatment will yield clear benefits. Efforts to increase farmers' utilization of healthcare services must address these considerations.

Does Agrotourism Benefit Mountain Farmers? A Case Study in Phu Ruea District, Northeast Thailand

Agrotourism is widely advocated as a useful strategy to develop mountain agriculture and improve farmers’ income and quality of life. However, the relationship between agriculture and tourism is complex, and the extent to which tourism benefits farmers remains uncertain. This paper examines the relationship between agriculture and tourism and assesses to what extent agrotourism benefits farmers in Phu Ruea district, a popular tourist destination in the mountains of northeast Thailand. The Phu Ruea agrotourism system generated gross income for the district of almost US$ 16 million in 2014. About 80% of this income came from sales from specialty-crop farms and of tourism services operated by the households of local farms. The agrotourism system also created many employment opportunities for local people. There were 1500 people directly involved in the system, 90% of whom were farmers or members of farm households. Thus, there is no doubt that many local farmers derive significant benefits from their involve...

Pluriactivity on family farms

The article elaborates on pluriactivity, i.e. taking non-agricultural jobs by farm household members. According to the research, pluriactivity is a universal phenomenon which can be observed in any country, regardless of its development level. It exists on large as well as small farms, although it is of more economic importance for those living on the latter. Pluriactivity is a response to a global concern known as the agrarian question, which is related chiefly with agricultural income disparity. Pluriactivity is a common and relatively stable phenomenon concerning a significant group of farmers. These facts are a cue for policy makers who should make non-agricultural job creation a part of rural development support programmes.

The Impacts of Temporary Labour Migration on Farming Systems of the Loess Plateau, Gansu Province, China

ABSTRACTAcross much of rural China, members of farm households spend parts of the year working in cities to generate additional income. This process of temporary labour migration has gathered pace in recent years as rural households capitalise on China's economic expansion and look to improve their own levels of well‐being. Yet, to date, relatively little research has examined the impacts of temporary migration on the structure and performance of farming systems. Accordingly, this paper examines the ways in which temporary migration has resulted in significant changes to the nature of farming on the Loess Plateau in Gansu Province. It draws primarily on a survey of 175 households in three different agroclimatic zones. The analysis indicates that temporary migration is associated with quite complex changes in land use, agricultural production and farm enterprise productivity. Although households involved in temporary migration tend to have higher incomes than non‐migration households, this appears to be at the expense of farm productivity. Indeed, higher levels of migration are closely associated with more extensive, low labour farming practices, suggesting a tendency towards disinvestment in agricultural enterprise. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

The Effect of Schooling of Farm Household Members on Household Income

The Effect of Schooling of Farm Household Members on Household Income

Community and household socioeconomic factors associated with pesticide-using, small farm household members' health: a multi-level, longitudinal analysis.

BackgroundLongitudinal studies using multi-level models to examine health inequalities in lower and middle income countries (LMICs) are rare. We explored socio-economic gradients in health among small farm members participating in a pesticide-related health and agriculture program in highland Ecuador.MethodsWe profiled 24 communities through key informant interviews, secondary data (percent of population with unsatisfied basic needs), and intervention implementation indicators. Pre (2005) and post (2007) surveys of the primary household and crop managers included common questions (education, age, and the health outcome - digit span scaled 0-10)) and pesticide-related practice questions specific to each. Household assets and pesticide use variables were shared across managers. We constructed multi-level models predicting 2007 digit span for each manager type, with staged introduction of predictor variables.Results376 household managers (79% of 2005 participants) and 380 crop managers (76% of 2005 participants) had complete data for analysis. The most important predictor of 2007 digit span was 2005 digit span: β (Standard Error) of 0.31(0.05) per unit for household and 0.17(0.04) for crop managers. Household asset score was next most important: 0.14(0.06) per unit for household and 0.14(0.05) for crop managers. Community percent with unsatisfied basic needs was associated with reductions in 2007 digit span: -0.04(0.01) per percent for household and -0.03(0.01) for crop managers.ConclusionsThe important roles of life endowments and/or persistent neurotoxicity were exemplified by limited change in the health outcome. Gradients by household assets and community deprivation were indicative of ongoing, structural inequities within this LMIC.

Off- and on-farm labour participation in Italian farm households

Most farms are family business, both in developed and developing countries. Labour allocation choices of farm household members are therefore relevant both for production choices in the farm and for rural labour markets. In particular, off-farm work and combination of on- and off-farm work (pluriactivity) are viewed as an efficient allocation of household labour resources. Moreover, labour choice of the children of the farm household is relevant for farm succession. In this article, we extend previous literature by estimating in an unified framework labour participation choices both for on- and off-farm work for operators, spouses and their eldest children in working age, using a five equation multivariate probit.