The Influence of Market Barriers and Farm Income Risk on Non-Farm Income Diversification

Empirical evidence shows that non-farm income diversification is associated with higher welfare among farm households. However, most studies have ignored market barriers and farm income risk in explaining income diversification behaviour. This study develops an analytical framework that includes both market barriers and farm income risk, in addition to other factors, in explaining income diversification behaviour. The analytical framework is used to test the hypotheses that: market barriers reduce the intensity of non-farm income diversification; and farm income risk increases the intensity of non-farm income diversification. The results confirm the hypotheses, suggesting that market barriers and farm income risk are key factors in explaining income diversification behaviour of farm households. Future studies should, therefore, consider the two factors in the analysis of income diversification behaviour.