Migration, Gender, and Farming Systems in Asia

Limited statistics on internal migration, international migration, and remittances worldwide prohibit understanding of migration’s role in the agricultural transformation process. Insights from the qualitative literature suggest the migrant’s gender and household decision making dynamics may influence future investments in agriculture. This paper reviews the literature on migration in Asia, with specific attention given to how gendered migration may influence future agricultural productivity. The first section examines the current body of evidence on the state of international and internal migration, using large scale datasets that cover several Asian countries. The second section summarizes the findings of an extensive literature review on gendered determinants of migration, employment, and remittances. The third section lays out the gains and losses of migration and discusses the evidence on possible changes in gender roles owing to migration. Global statistics and evidence from the qualitative literature challenge the traditional narrative of male migrants as breadwinners. Even among studies that focus on male employment migration, women have an increasing role in the investment of remittances. What remains unclear is whether women who are migrant breadwinners, decisionmakers, or both regarding the end use of remittances favor investments in agriculture. Adding migration questions to existing nationally representative surveys would shed light on the significance of gendered migration patterns in Asia and its associated consequences on rural livelihoods.