Livelihood Choices Research Articles

The Determinants and Synergies of Livelihood Choices Across Climate-vulnerable Regions: An Empirical Analysis from Rural Bangladesh

This study explores the role of diverse climatic vulnerabilities and socio- economic variables in explaining Bangladeshi rural households’ livelihood choices and the synergies that exist across the choices. We develop a multivariate probit model for analysing a dataset of 5,604 households that is representative of rural Bangladesh. The findings reveal a landscape where agriculture-based strategies predominate, with households strategically combining various approaches. Households complement agriculture-based strategies, while substituting beyond agriculture-based strategies. Climate stressors such as flood, salinity, river erosion, drought, storms and cyclones induce notable shifts in livelihood choices. Among these, the most prominent is the substantial influence of storm and cyclone vulnerability. Migration is more prevalent in areas susceptible to salinity, storms and cyclones, while casual labour prevails in drought-prone and flood-vulnerable regions. Households residing in the economically marginalized and environmentally vulnerable feed-the-future (FtF) zone make distinct decisions regarding income strategies compared to their counterparts in other rural areas across the country. Households in this zone exhibit a higher likelihood of opting for specific agriculture-based income sources and casual labour, while self-employment, migration and salaried jobs are less favoured. Furthermore, we elucidate the pivotal role of infrastructure, information access and institutional factors in shaping income sources. Households in different divisions make distinct livelihood choices, especially in agriculture. Ultimately, the findings advocate for precise interventions tailored to climate vulnerabilities. This includes enhancements in road connectivity, the utilization of mobile banking and the provision of extension services, with a specific focus on geographically marginalized and climate-vulnerable regions.

Rural household livelihood strategy, household reliance on forest goods, and its effect on protected area: Evidence from communities living adjacent to Kafta-Sheraro national park, Tigray, northern Ethiopia

Issues concerning household livelihood strategies and households' reliance on forest goods around Ethiopia's protected areas have not been adequately addressed. Thus, the purpose of this study is to quantify and determine the influence of livelihood assets on the choice of livelihood strategy, as well as the contribution of forest goods to rural livelihood and its effect on park conservation. The data was collected in 2020 through a survey of 384 households. To discover livelihood strategies, cluster analysis was employed. According to the study's findings, the livelihood asset indicators that significantly affected the likelihood of the household being in one of the identified livelihood strategies were forest income, labor, education level, number of livestock in TLU, agricultural income, off-farm income, non-farm income, access to credit, membership in a cooperative, and ethnicity. The study also discovered that forest income accounted for 17 % of the total income of the sample households, which varies across livelihood strategies (10 %–24 %) and ethnic backgrounds (43 % for Kunama). Households in low-income livelihood strategies (small-business and mixed-activity operators) generate more total and relative forest income than households in high-income livelihood strategies (large-scale and small-scale). There was no safe livelihood strategy for conserving park resources, as households in the entire livelihood strategy were involved in unlawful exploitation of park resources, which resulted in the deterioration of the park's ecological resources over time. Policy on agricultural intensification and encouraging livelihood choices less dependent on natural resources through creating opportunities (credit access, skill and knowledge development, and technology) should be applied, and the use of natural resources should be regulated and evaluated regularly.

Extending the boundaries of the value-belief-norm theory to off-farm livelihood preferences – Perceptions of food crop farmers in the savanna ecological zone, Ghana

ABSTRACT This study explored prospects of extending propositions of the value-belief-norm theory to off-farm livelihood preferences among food crop farmers in the savanna ecological zone of Ghana. The predominantly qualitative study used the case study approach. Data collection involved questionnaire administration to 197 households, 6 community-level focus group discussions, and 18 key informant interviews. Quantitative analysis involved a non-parametric chi-square test at 95% confidence level and descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically using NVivo software. The study departs from the dominant application of the value-belief-norm theory to pro-environmental behavior, to explore the theory’s prospects for explaining off-farm livelihood activities of men and women food crop farmers. It found that effects of climate change on the off-farm livelihoods of male farmers differed significantly from females. The study also found that the fundamental link between values, beliefs, and norms as proposed by the value-belief-norm theory successfully explained off-farm livelihood choices in response to climate change and explained the strong difference between men and women in off-farm livelihood responses. It recommends that public policy developmental programs targeting off-farm livelihoods acknowledge the dichotomy in off-farm livelihood preferences, as well as the role of values, beliefs, and norms, and accommodate these in development programs.

Factors affecting the change of agricultural livelihoods of farmers adapting to water resource reduction in the highland area in An Giang province, Vietnam

Currently, water shortages are affecting agricultural production in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Consequently, most farmers have changed their current cropping patterns to other patterns that need less water. The factors affecting this change have not so far been deeply analyzed, especially in the higher terrain areas of the delta. This study intends to identify and understand factors causing change in the agricultural livelihoods of farmers in the highland area of An Giang province. Farm household surveys (90 households) were used to collect information on the changes in agricultural livelihoods and identify the causal factors. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to analyze these affecting factors, based on variables in household livelihood assets. The results show that farmers have at least three livelihood choices: change from rice to vegetable, change from rice to rice and-vegetable, and change from rice to fruit. The results from multinomial logistic regression show that livelihood choices are affected by households’ types of assets: human (number of employees involved, perception of farmers); natural (cultivated land area, the distance between the water source and the cultivated land area); financial (household income); and social (relationship with friends and relatives). Therefore, to increase the sustainability of existing livelihood models, it is necessary to improve the capacity of farmers through technical training sessions, promote social networks within the farming community and provide financial support policies for farmers.

Land dispossession, aspirational asymmetries and dilemmas of the rural youth

ABSTRACT Compulsory land acquisition has time and again resulted in disruption of local communities in multiple ways. However, this process has often been justified as an important transitional stage for rural populations to move towards urbanisation and development. This paper looks at the case of a village in district Faridabad (in the state of Haryana), where land was acquired for purposes of setting up an Industrial Model Township (IMT). It is argued that land dispossession, in the case of prosperous rural communities, has resulted in the loss of livelihood and location. While the transition from owners to rentiers has been particularly traumatic for the older generation, the younger generation face new dilemmas pertaining to their identity and livelihood choices. Assured rent has enhanced family incomes. This has reduced the need to engage with agriculture which youth from the dominant castes wished to relinquish even otherwise. However, the jobs that are available are not commensurate to the social status that the youth from the dominant castes aspire for. Apart from these aspirational asymmetries, monetisation of assets has unleashed consumerism, conspicuous consumption and an identity crisis for the youth.

Exploring Climate Change Adaptation Practices and Agricultural Livelihoods among Rice Farmers of the Brahmaputra Valley in Northeast India.

Global climate change has seriously threatened agriculture and connected sectors, especially in developing countries like India. The Brahmaputra Valley in Assam, Northeast India, is vulnerable to climate change due to its agrarian economy, fragile geo-ecological setting, recurrent floods and droughts, and poor socioeconomic conditions of the farmers. The climate-induced hindrances faced by the rice farming community of this region and the local adaptation practices they employ have not been adequately studied. Therefore, we carried out a survey among 635 rice farmers across four agro-climatic zones of Assam, namely the Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone, North Bank Plain Zone, Central Brahmaputra Valley Zone, and Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone, to understand how they perceive and respond to climatic changes. The survey revealed that all the respondents have perceived an increase in ambient temperature, and 65% of the respondents have perceived a slight change in rainfall characteristics over the years. Most farmers reported adjusting the existing farming practices and livelihood choices to adapt to the changing climate. Farming adjustments were made mainly in terms of field preparation and management of water, rice variety, nutrients, and pests. Environmental variables like rainfall, flood, drought, and pest level, and socioeconomic variables like family size, education, farming experience, training, digital media exposure, and land area were found to influence farmers' adaptation choices. The findings imply that policies to strengthen flood, drought, pest management, education, land-use planning, agricultural training, and digital media applications in agriculture are needed for effective climate change adaptation in this region.

A Long Journey: Integrating Caste in Anti-Trafficking Interventions

ABSTRACT Recognizing the limitations of the raid-rescue-and-rehabilitation model, this article emphasizes the need for anti-trafficking interventions to follow a more holistic approach toward addressing the challenges of trafficking. Using the case study of a community-led collectivization initiative facilitated by Praxis – Institute for Participatory Practices that addressed the challenges faced by the Nat and Bediya communities, the article traces the history and current plight of the Nat and Bediya communities in North India. It notes how the broader social-cultural-historical background of these communities plays a crucial role in their vulnerability to trafficking and involvement in the sex trade. The case study emphasizes the need for community-led interventions that recognize the complexities of caste-based discrimination, limited livelihood options and deep-rooted social norms. This approach aims to foster agency, challenge stereotypes, and empower community members to redefine their identities and livelihood choices by involving community leaders.

Practitioner Reflection: Reliance on Informal and Gig Economies Leaves LGBTQ+ Populations with Fewer Economic Choices and Greater Vulnerability to Trafficking

ABSTRACT Vulnerability to human trafficking is exacerbated by poverty, familial violence and abuse, homelessness, un- and under-employment, and migration. Many of these established vulnerabilities to human trafficking are also common vulnerabilities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other (LGBTQ+) populations worldwide. Further, LGBTQ+ individuals face additional risks due to community and workplace stigma. These circumstances result in disproportionate barriers to formal employment, particularly in stable jobs that pay a living wage and are insulated from economic shocks. Yet anti-trafficking efforts frequently overlook LGBTQ+ people’s particular needs. LGBTQ+ people frequently rely on insecure, informal, and gig economies for their livelihoods, making them susceptible to trafficking. Yet informal work opportunities also have positives. Individuals may maintain control of their work circumstances in ways they cannot if they work in formal settings. LGBTQ+ people report being able to choose contracts and clients or move on quickly when encountering unsafe situations. It should be noted that controlling our circumstances is a key tenet of trauma-informed support. Anti-trafficking interventions frequently seek transformational change with “rescue and rebuilding” underpinning programming. The authors propose an alternative model built around i) diversifying livelihood choices, ii) fostering psychological safety and iii) addressing the individual-level impacts of systemic stigma and discrimination.

Livelihood transitions in rural Vietnam under climate change effects in the period of 2008–2018

The goal of this research is assess the variation in livelihood choices of households in Vietnam rural areas under the effects of climate change. Sustainable livelihood analysis framework and previous studies show that climate change has positive significant impacts on household livelihood transitions. Base on secondary dataset (Vietnam Access to Resources Household Survey) from 2008 to 2018 and applying multinomial logit model, the authors have indicated that climate change not only directly affects livelihood choices of inhabitans in rural areas but also indirectly influcences them through livelihood capitals, including: human capital, natural capital, material capital, financial capital, and social capital. In addion, authors have shown that the wage-based and nonagricultural strategy preferred under the effects of climate change. This study has also determined the effects of climate change on rural households via livelihood capitals, particularly human and social capital. Finally, the authors suggested some policy implications about quickly policy implement from government, enhancing social capital as well as social networks of households, improving human capital for climate change adaptation.

Rural Livelihood Choices Effect on Perceived Soil Erosion in Kieni Sub Counties, Nyeri County in Kenya

Rural Livelihood Choices Effect on Perceived Soil Erosion in Kieni Sub Counties, Nyeri County in Kenya

Higher-order risk preferences and livelihood choices of farmers from West Bengal, India

Higher-order risk preferences and livelihood choices of farmers from West Bengal, India

Ethnic elder poverty: Miao household livelihoods and elderly self‐sufficiency practices in Midwest China

AbstractWithin the existing literature on livelihoods, there is a paucity of research examining the livelihood of the elderly from ethnic communities, and of the few studies on elderly livelihoods, scholars tend to focus on their agricultural labor engagement and ignore other forms of activity. In this study, we investigate the elderly livelihood choices and the multiple survival practices in a Miao town in China's Midwest, which was chosen as the first case for the Targeted Poverty Alleviation (TPA) program. Using the dual lenses of age and ethnicity, we describe the history of household livelihoods in the region, and how agricultural participation, the production of ethnic artisan goods and ritual practices are uniquely employed by Miao elders (compared to their Han peers) to achieve self‐sufficiency. We consider how being Miao has certain advantages in tackling elder poverty. Alongside agricultural labor, Miao elders can engage in recognized handicrafts for sale; they can also engage in customary ritual practices as a recognized ethnic minority which would otherwise be prohibited and contribute to social cohesion. This is the first anthropological study conducted in Midwest China that centers on the livelihood and practices of age‐advanced group with an ethnic identity in a globally aging context.

The Impact of the Establishment of the Mount Wuyi National Park on the Livelihood of Farmers

The construction of national parks has a profound impact on the production and life of surrounding farmers. Based on the survey data of 354 farmers around the Mount Wuyi National Park, this paper uses the method of constructing a difference-in-difference model to analyze the impact of the Mount Wuyi National Park construction on the livelihood choices of surrounding farmers and the main income of families. In addition, this article analyzes the heterogeneity of surrounding farmers based on differences in tea planting area and farmers’ income levels. The results show the following: First, compared with pre-establishment, farmers around the Mount Wuyi National Park still prefer tea-based agricultural employment or part-time employment. Second, after the establishment of the Mount Wuyi National Park, the main income of surrounding farmers’ families is still agricultural income. Therefore, the authors of this article believe that it is necessary to further strengthen the protection of the livelihoods of surrounding farmers and moderately create more livelihood choices for surrounding farmers in order to achieve both ecological and economic benefits.

Implications of socio-cultural practices on fisheries management: a case of the bottom-set gillnet fishery in the central region of Ghana

The study was conducted to examine the effect of some socio-cultural practices on fisheries management in Ghana. A case study was done on the bottom set gillnet fishery at Apam and Egyaa No.1 in the Central Region of Ghana. Data were collected through field observations and interviews. The study revealed that male children in fishing communities in Ghana were introduced to fishing at younger ages to ensure continuation of the family trade. Fishing partnership systems practiced had the potential to cause underestimation of fishing effort, while exceptions to the fishing holiday practiced in Ghana served as a loophole for violation of the taboo. Some socio-cultural practices hinder the success of some fisheries management strategies. The study recommended that natural resource managers should understand the objectives of the socio-cultural practices of resource users to guide them in the development of their management strategies. Also, alternative livelihood programmes aimed at reducing fishing effort should target the younger age group in fishing households as well, to expose them to other livelihood choices other than fishing. Again, estimation of fishing effort in Ghanaian marine small-scale fisheries should be based on number of fishing gears to ensure reliable estimates.

Does Land Fragmentation Affect Household Livelihood Choice in Rural Vietnam?

This paper examines how cropland fragmentation affects livelihood choice among households in Vietnam’s 12 provinces over the 2008–2016 period. Using cluster analysis techniques, we first classify households into various livelihood clusters. Then, employing multinomial logit regression analysis, we quantify how land fragmentation affects livelihood choice. The current research shows that land fragmentation has a positive impact on nonfarm diversification. Households with a higher intensity of fragmentation have a higher likelihood of pursuing a wide range of strategies based on nonfarm self-employment, wage-earning, or remittance sources rather than specialize in cultivation. Our findings suggest that households actively diversify away from agriculture in response to the disadvantages of land fragmentation. Notably, we discover that such coping strategies provide higher incomes than a cultivation-based livelihood.

The Expanding Search for Work: The Gender Gap in Livelihood Choices among the Rural Chinese, from 1989 to 2015☆

AbstractSimilar to the rest of developing countries around the world, rural China has experienced rapid growth in the diversification and space expansion of their livelihood choices. However, little is known about the gender gap in the process of expanding. In this study, using the China Health and Nutrition Survey data from 1989 to 2015 and multilevel age, period, and cohort models, we examine the gender gap in livelihood choices of farming, local nonfarm, and distant nonfarming among rural residents over the period. Our study showed that women are constantly behind in taking nonfarming jobs compared with men, and there is no evidence of a convergence trend over time. Further analysis suggests that the family status of being married is the main obstacle for women to close the gap with men, while the gap between unmarried women and men has closed. When comparing the local vs. nonlocal nonfarming work, we found that the gender gap was resistant to close and has even slightly enlarged between married men and women over time. Our study has revealed a concerning trend for rural married women to close the gender gap in pursuing nonfarming occupations and expanding their space in livelihood choice in China.

The impact of farmland transfer participation on farmers' livelihood choices – an empirical study of the effectiveness of the 2014 Three Property Rights Separation reform

PurposeFarmland transfer choice is strongly associated with the livelihood strategies of rural households. The 2014 Three Property Rights Separation (TPRS) reform has legalized farmland transfer practices in rural China, hence stimulating the farmland transfer market at the national scale. This paper aims to determine the extent to which rural family livelihood strategies are influenced by their participation decision in farmland transfer practices. Further, the authors examined the effectiveness of the TPRS reform on the impact of farmland transfer participation on rural household livelihood strategy choices.Design/methodology/approachBased on the sustainable livelihood approach (SLA) using data from a national rural household survey, the authors employ the logit model and the propensity score matching (PSM) method to estimate the impact of household farmland transfer participation. Its interaction effects with household livelihood capital on their livelihood strategy choices and diversification level are also investigated. The difference-in-difference (DID) model is employed to assess the effectiveness of the TPRS reform.FindingsThe results indicate that the participation in transferred-out farmland could improve rural households' non-agricultural livelihood strategies. While the participation in transferred-in farmland could improve the probability of rural families' engaging in pure-agricultural (PA) or agricultural-dependent (AD) livelihood strategies, the TPRS reform can attract specialized farmers to increase their farm size through the market solutions and encourage small farmers to leave their farmland to engage in more off-farm work.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on farmers' livelihood by exploring the role of farmland transfer decision and the effectiveness of 2014 TPRS reform through the SLA approach.

Determinants and Impacts of Livelihood Choice Strategies on Farm Households’ Food Security Status in North Shewa Zone Oromia, Ethiopia

Determinants and Impacts of Livelihood Choice Strategies on Farm Households’ Food Security Status in North Shewa Zone Oromia, Ethiopia

Changes in the Livelihood Capitals and Strategies of Hydropower Displaced Community of Arun-III in Nepal

The growing clean energy demand in the South Asian region has seen an increase in the hydropower construction in Nepal. This has undoubtedly raised the issues of involuntary displacement. This study explores the displaced population of the Arun III hydroelectric project in Nepal. Findings reveal people have adjusted to different livelihood strategies in the short term. However, the disparity in household livelihood choices has reduced natural asset-based activities, and long-term sustainability is a concern. To close this gap, the government should focus on developing people’s skills, improving their human capital, and focus on improved benefit-sharing mechanism for holistic development of the region.

Livelihood Choice and Household Economic Wellbeing in Vietnam’s Northwest region

This paper examines factors affecting livelihood choices in the Northwest region, the country’s poorest one, populated mainly by ethnic minorities. We utilized secondary data from the Vietnam Household Living Standard Surveys (VHLSS) in 2016 and 2018, and applied micro-econometric analysis. Our cluster analysis results offer the initial classification into six livelihood groups characteristic of rural households. Bonferroni pairwise tests are used to compare per capita income and poverty rates across livelihood options. We discovered that households with nonfarm or formal wage-earning livelihoods had the highest levels of income and the lowest poverty rates, while those reliant on the cultivation of crops had the lowest income and the highest poverty levels. A multinomial logit model is used to explore factors affecting livelihood choice. We found that ownership of more cropland reduces the likelihood of choosing high-return livelihoods. Furthermore, household head education has a beneficial effect on the pursuit of profitable occupations, meaning that improved education could lead to households shifting away from low-return activities. We also discovered that households in communes with available transportation are more likely to adopt high-return livelihoods.