Heterogeneous Constraints, Incentives and Income Diversification Strategies in Rural Africa

Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, Forthcoming

Posted: 16 Feb 2001 Last revised: 23 May 2011

See all articles by Christopher B. Barrett

Christopher B. Barrett

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management

Mesfin Bezuneh

Clark Atlanta University - Economics

Daniel C. Clay

Michigan State University - Institute of International Agriculture

Thomas Reardon

Michigan State University - Department of Agricultural Economics

Date Written: August 1, 2000

Abstract

This paper offers a new, comparative perspective on income diversification in African agriculture. Comparative analysis using household data from three quite different sites -in Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya and Rwanda reveals distinct livelihood strategies, some of which offer demonstrably superior returns relative to others. We argue that local market failures cause asset endowments and market access to condition the livelihood strategies among which different households can choose, leading to a more nuanced relationship between poverty and non-farm income earnings than the existing literature recognizes.

Suggested Citation

Barrett, Christopher B. and Bezuneh, Mesfin and Clay, Daniel C. and Reardon, Thomas A., Heterogeneous Constraints, Incentives and Income Diversification Strategies in Rural Africa (August 1, 2000). Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=258371 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.258371

Christopher B. Barrett (Contact Author)

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management ( email )

315 Warren Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-7801
United States
607-255-4489 (Phone)
607-255-9984 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://aem.cornell.edu/faculty_sites/cbb2/

Mesfin Bezuneh

Clark Atlanta University - Economics ( email )

223 James P. Brawley Drive, S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30314
United States
404-880-6274 (Phone)
404-880-6276 (Fax)

Daniel C. Clay

Michigan State University - Institute of International Agriculture ( email )

324 Agriculture Hall
Lansing, MI 48824
United States
517-355-0174 (Phone)

Thomas A. Reardon

Michigan State University - Department of Agricultural Economics ( email )

East Lansing, MI 48824
United States
517-355-1521 (Phone)
517-432-1800 (Fax)

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