Impact of off-farm employment on rural household food and nutrition security: evidence from the southern highland regions of Tanzania
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Date
2024
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Publisher
African Journal of Economic Review
Abstract
Despite the rural off-farm economy becoming increasingly important, the question whether off-
farm income-generating activities increase household food and nutritional security in Tanzania
remains unanswered. The current study explores the issue of off-farm employment by addressing
two objectives: (i) to examine the drivers of households’ decision to participate in off-farm
employment in a high-potential agricultural zone in Tanzania and (ii) to evaluate the impact of off-
farm activities on rural households’ food security and nutritional security. We use household survey
data from the southern highland districts of Mbeya and Songwe regions collected in 2014 and 2016.
We employ difference-in-difference and propensity score matching techniques to evaluate the
impact of participation in off-farm employment on household food security using three indicators
with different recall periods. Results show that more adults per household and a larger farm size
stimulated involvement in off-farm activities, while farming experience and livestock ownership
had a limiting effect. Participation has a significant impact on food security, but the strength of the
effect depends on the specific indicator selected. We recommend that the development of policies
and programs that pay more attention to off-farm work can boost rural household income and thus
promote food security and nutritional security.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Off-farm work, Rural households, Food security, Dietary diversity, Tanzania