Impact of off-farm labor supply on food expenditures of the farm household

B-Tier
Journal: Food Policy
Year: 2008
Volume: 33
Issue: 6
Pages: 657-664

Authors (2)

Chang, Hung-Hao (not in RePEc) Mishra, Ashok (Arizona State University)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Farm households diversify their income sources by working off the farm. This is a risk management strategy that is used by farm households in both developed and developing countries. Income diversification via off-farm work is associated with higher incomes and food consumption. However, little is known about the association between off-farm work and farm household food expenditures. In an effort to bridge this gap, this study attempts to assess the impact of off-farm work decisions by the operator and/or the spouse on the food expenditures of the farm household. Using a nationwide farm household survey in the United States and new econometric method, we find that the decisions of the operator and/or the spouse to work off the farm are significantly interrelated (29%). However, these two decisions affect food expenditures in different ways. The operator's off-farm work decision is positively related to food expenditures, while the spouse's decision is negatively associated with expenditures on food by the farm household.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jfpoli:v:33:y:2008:i:6:p:657-664
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25