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Factors Affecting Nonfarm Income Diversification among Rural Farm Households in Central Nepal

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  • Ghimire, Raju
  • Huang, Wen-Chi
  • Shrestha, Rudra Bahadur

Abstract

Nonfarm activities play an important role in the determination of rural household income, consumption expenditure, and household food security. However, much less studies have been devoted to the factors that influence nonfarm income diversification by farm household in developing countries. Using cross-sectional data and a probit model, this study attempts to determine the factors influencing nonfarm income diversification decisions by farm households in Central Nepal. The result reveals that household characteristics such as age, gender and education of the household head, and family size play a significant role in nonfarm work decisions. The households with larger farm size are less likely to participate in nonfarm work than their counterpart. Additionally, for those remains in the rural households, distance to road and market hinders the opportunities for nonfarm work. Finally, regional differences also exist in participating nonfarm activities among farm households. This study suggests that government policy should pay more attention on education, gender and infrastructures such as road and markets, to reduce the entry barriers and facilitate easier access to nonfarm activities. Also, nonfarm activities need to be promoted and incorporated in governmental plans and policies for balanced development between hills and terai areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Ghimire, Raju & Huang, Wen-Chi & Shrestha, Rudra Bahadur, 2014. "Factors Affecting Nonfarm Income Diversification among Rural Farm Households in Central Nepal," International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development (IJAMAD), Iranian Association of Agricultural Economics, vol. 4(2), April.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ijamad:246109
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.246109
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    2. Gamel Abdul-Nasser Salifu, 2019. "The Political Economy Dynamics of Rural Household Income Diversification: A Review of the International Literature," Research in World Economy, Research in World Economy, Sciedu Press, vol. 10(3), pages 273-290, December.
    3. Sènakpon F. A. Dedehouanou & John McPeak, 2018. "Diversify more or less? Household resilience and food security in rural Nigeria," Working Papers PMMA 2018-01, PEP-PMMA.
    4. Dedehouanou, Sènakpon Fidèle Ange & Araar, Abdelkrim & Ousseini, Aichatou & Harouna, Abdoulaziz Laouali & Jabir, Maimounata, 2018. "Spillovers from off-farm self-employment opportunities in rural Niger," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 428-442.
    5. Sènakpon F.A. Dedehouanou & Dugassa Aichatou Ousseini & Abdoulaziz Laouali Harouna & Jabir Maimounata, 2015. "Spillovers from Off-farm Self-Employment Opportunities in Rural NIGER," Working Papers 2015/03, Maastricht School of Management.
    6. Kehinde, Ayodeji Damilola, 2021. "The Distributional Impact of Non-Farm Income on Output and Farm Income of Cassava Farmers in Southwestern Nigeria," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315857, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    7. Renwick, A. & Ma, W. & Nie, P. & Tang, J., 2018. "The Joint Effects of Off-farm Work and Smartphone Use on Household Income in Rural China," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277304, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    8. Anviksha Drall & Sabuj Kumar Mandal, 2020. "Determinants of various modes of rural non-farm sector (RNFS) employment in SAT (semi-arid tropics) and Eastern regions of India: an empirical analysis," Indian Economic Review, Springer, vol. 55(2), pages 253-282, December.
    9. Mandefro Seifu & Jema Haji & Temesgen Keno & Dawit Diriba, 2023. "Determinants of nonfarm livelihood diversification: evidence from farmers in Ilu Abba Bora zone, Southwestern Ethiopia," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(8), pages 1-16, August.
    10. Ma, Wanglin & Renwick, Alan & Nie, Peng & Tang, Jianjun & Cai, Rong, 2018. "Off-farm work, smartphone use and household income: Evidence from rural China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 80-94.
    11. Lawin, Kotchikpa G. & Tamini, Lota D., 2017. "Risk preferences and crop diversification amongst smallholder farmers in Burkina Faso," Annual Meeting, 2017, June 18-21, Montreal, Canada 258058, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society.

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