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Rural non-farm livelihoods in transition economies: emerging issues and policies

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  • Junior Davis

    (NRI, UK)

Abstract

This article reviews key conceptual issues related to the development of the rural non-farm economy (RNFE) in a transition context and analyses available empirical evidence on the role of RNFE during recovery from the transition recession. Growth in the RNFE in the transition countries took place during the recession transition, which shows that it may be distress driven, but the paper explores other factors which may be driving the RNFE. It looks at the RNFE in light of the factors driving income growth and inequality, i.e. endowments and institutions. It concludes that, although not uniform across transition countries, the RNFE should be seen as a component of a growth strategy rather than as a temporary “refuge” or survival one. The patterns of growth of the RNFE will closely follow those of general economic recovery as well as the developments in the agricultural sector itself.

Suggested Citation

  • Junior Davis, 2006. "Rural non-farm livelihoods in transition economies: emerging issues and policies," The Electronic Journal of Agricultural and Development Economics, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, vol. 3(2), pages 180-224.
    • Handle: RePEc:fao:tejade:v:3:y:2006:i:2:p:180-224
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ognjen Žurovec & Pål Olav Vedeld, 2019. "Rural Livelihoods and Climate Change Adaptation in Laggard Transitional Economies: A Case from Bosnia and Herzegovina," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-27, November.
    3. AMPAW Samuel & NKETIAH-AMPONSAH Edward & SENADZA Bernardin, 2017. "Urban Farm-Nonfarm Diversification, Household Income And Food Expenditure In Ghana," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 12(2), pages 6-19, August.
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    5. Hasanov, Shavkat & Sanaev, Golib, 2018. "Non-farm employment trends and policy in rural areas of Samarkand region (Uzbekistan)," IAMO Discussion Papers 176, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO).
    6. Rusali, Mirela, 2009. "Socio-Economic Resource and Structures for the Sustainable Development of Rural Economy," Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Institute of Agricultural Economics, vol. 6(2), pages 199-216.
    7. Hasanov, Shavkat & Sanaev, Golib, 2018. "Non-farm employment trends and policy in rural areas of Samarkand region (Uzbekistan)," IAMO Discussion Papers 279145, Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO).
    8. Gil, J.M. & Diaz-Montenegro, J. & Varela, E., 2018. "A Bias-Adjusted Three-Step approach for analysing the livelihood strategies and the asset mix of cacao producers in Ecuador," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277215, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    9. George Kwadwo Anane & Patrick Brandful Cobbinah & Job Kwame Manu, 2013. "Sustainability of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Rural Ghana: The Role of Microfinance Institutions," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 3(8), pages 1003-1017, August.
    10. Mahamadou Roufahi Tankari, 2020. "Rainfall variability and farm households’ food insecurity in Burkina Faso: nonfarm activities as a coping strategy," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(3), pages 567-578, June.
    11. Flavius Mihalache, 2014. "Overview of the Romanian Rural Development Policy: 2007-2013," European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 1, May - Aug.
    12. Mackenzie, Lesego & Mburu, John & Irungu, Patrick, 2017. "Analysis Of Household Choice And Determinants Of Livelihood Diversification Activities In Chobe District, Botswana," Dissertations and Theses 269268, University of Nairobi, Department of Agricultural Economics.
    13. Jalang'o, Dorcas Anyango, 2016. "Economic Analysis Of Smallholder Farmers’ Participation In Domestic High-Value Markets For Indigenous Vegetables In Siaya County, Kenya," Research Theses 276431, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    14. Traikova, Diana, 2013. "Determinants of non-farm entrepreneurial intentions in a transitional context: Evidence from rural Bulgaria," Studies on the Agricultural and Food Sector in Transition Economies, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), volume 72, number 72.
    15. Chmieliński, Paweł, 2016. "Selected aspects of the development of rural systems in Visegrad Group countries," Rural Areas and Development, European Rural Development Network (ERDN), vol. 13, pages 1-12.
    16. Walelign, Solomon Zena & Jiao, Xi, 2017. "Dynamics of rural livelihoods and environmental reliance: Empirical evidence from Nepal," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 199-209.
    17. Koomson, Isaac & Orkoh, Emmanuel & Ahmad, Shabbir, 2023. "Non-farm entrepreneurship, caste, and energy poverty in rural India," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PA).
    18. Jalang’o, Dorcas Anyango & Otieno, David Jakinda & Oluoch-Kosura, Willis, 2016. "Economic Analysis Of Smallholder Farmers’ Participation In Domestic High-Value Markets For Indigenous Vegetables In Siaya County, Kenya," Dissertations and Theses 269269, University of Nairobi, Department of Agricultural Economics.
    19. Quang Tran, Tuyen, 2012. "A review on the link between nonfarm activities, land and rural livelihoods in Vietnam and developing countries," MPRA Paper 55850, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 17 Nov 2013.
    20. Independent Evaluation Group, 2016. "Growing the Rural Nonfarm Economy to Alleviate Poverty," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 28971, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Transition economies; rural livelihoods; rural non-farm economy; rural poverty; rural development.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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