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Smallholder Agriculture, Wage Labour, and Rural Poverty Alleviation in Mozambique: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

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  • Tschirley, David L.
  • Benfica, Rui M.S.

Abstract

This paper challenges the conclusions of earlier writers regarding the roles of smallholder agriculture, commercial agriculture, and wage labour in rural poverty alleviation in Mozambique. It reviews literature from across Sub-Saharan Africa and use recently collected household level data sets to place Mozambique within this literature. Results show that, as in the rest of SSA, wage labour earnings are concentrated among the best-off rural smallholders; these earnings increase income inequality rather than reducing it. Results also suggest that the same set of households, who are substantially better-off than others, has tended to gain and maintain access to the “high-wage” end of the labour market over time. Key determinants of access to “high-wage” labour are levels of education and previously accumulated household wealth. Income from wage labour plays a key role lifting out of relative poverty those female-headed households that can obtain it, yet only about one in five such households earns wage income.

Suggested Citation

  • Tschirley, David L. & Benfica, Rui M.S., 2000. "Smallholder Agriculture, Wage Labour, and Rural Poverty Alleviation in Mozambique: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?," Food Security Collaborative Working Papers 56041, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:midcwp:56041
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.56041
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    Cited by:

    1. Tschirley, David L. & Abdula, Danilo Carimo & Weber, Michael T., 2006. "Toward Improved Maize Marketing and Trade Policies to Promote Household Food Security in Central and Southern Mozambique," Food Security Collaborative Working Papers 56065, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    2. Tilman Brück, 2004. "The Welfare Effects of Farm Household Activity Choices in Post-War Mozambique," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 413, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    3. Eicher, Carl K., 2002. "Mozambique: An Analysis Of The Implementation Of The Extension Master Plan," Staff Paper Series 11774, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    4. Tilman Brück, 2003. "Coping Strategies in Post-War Rural Mozambique," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 384, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    5. Walker, Thomas S. & Tschirley, David L. & Low, Jan W. & Tanque, M. Pequentino & Boughton, Duncan & Payongayong, Ellen M. & Weber, Michael T., 2004. "Determinants of Rural Income, Poverty, and Perceived Well-Being in Mozambique in 2001-2002," Food Security Collaborative Working Papers 56061, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
    6. Tschirley, David L. & Abdula, Danilo Carimo, 2007. "Toward Improved Marketing and Trade Policies to Promote Household Food Security in Central and Southern Mozambique: 2007 Update," Food Security Collaborative Working Papers 56068, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.

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    Keywords

    Food Security and Poverty;

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