Boda-Bodas Rule: Non-Agricultural Activities and Their Inequality Implications in Western Kenya
Date
16-08-12Author
M'Mukaria, George Michuki
Mahmoud, Toman Omar
Lay, Jann
Type
Working PaperLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Engagement in non-agricultural activities in rural areas can be classified into survival-led or opportunity-led. Survival-led diversification would decrease inequality by increasing the incomes of poorer households and thus reduce poverty. By contrast, opportunity-led diversification would increase inequality and have a minor effect on poverty, as it tends to be confined to non-poor households. Using data from Western Kenya, we confirm the existence of the differently motivated diversification strategies. Yet, the poverty and inequality implications differ somewhat from our expectations. Our findings indicate that in addition to asset constraints, rural households also face limited or relatively risky high-return opportunities outside agriculture.
Citation
Lay, Jann, Omar Mahmoud, Toman and M'Mukaria, George Michuki, Boda-Bodas Rule: Non-Agricultural Activities and Their Inequality Implications in Western Kenya (April 1, 2007). GIGA Working Paper No. 48. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=983913 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.983913Publisher
University of Nairobi Institute of Development Studies