Understanding rural outmigration and agricultural land use change in the Gandaki Basin, Nepal
Date
2020-08-20
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Publisher
Elsevier Ltd.
Abstract
This study investigates agricultural land use change in Chitwan, Nuwakot and Lamjung districts of Nepal (1990-2017) in relation to rural outmigration, which has steadily increased. A remittance economy has fuelled urbanization processes as well as transformations in the rural economy. Results of the study show that agricultural land abandonment is higher in mountain areas than in the plains (Terai). When men out-migrate women continue to farm, leading to the feminization of agriculture. But when significant numbers of women out-migrate, farms are abandoned as older people are often unable to do the work. Increased commercialization and competitiveness of agriculture may reduce land abandonment.
Description
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Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
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Keywords
LAND USE CHANGE, AGRICULTURAL INCOME, MIGRANT LABOUR, REMITTANCES, RURAL POVERTY, MOUNTAINS, RURAL ECONOMY, WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, URBANIZATION, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY, ECONOMETRICS, HIMALAYA, NEPAL, FAR EAST ASIA