Effects of labor outmigration of rice production efficiency in rainfed and irrigated rice ecosystems
2004
Luis, J.S. | Paris, T.R. | Hossain, M.,International Rice Research Inst., DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila (Philippines). Social Sciences Div.
Migration is a livelihood strategy of rice farming households in the Philippines. The unresolved question is whether or not labor out-migration leads to increased rice productivity though income from remittances. To examine the effects of labor outmigration on rice efficiency and changing gender roles, household surveys of four hundred farming households with and without migration were conducted. Results show that foreign migration is more prevalent than domestic migration. A high proportion (53 percent) of the migrants are female members (wives and daughters) than males (husbands and sons). Of the female migrants, majority work as domestic helpers and factory workers. Of the total income of rainfed farming households with domestic and international migrants, 58 percent and 32 percent, respectively are from remittances. Remittances from domestic and international respectively contributed 44 percent and 68 percent to total household income in irrigated villages. In general, a high proportion of the remittances are spent on education, credit payment and food rather on farm inputs. A comparison of input use efficiencies was done among migrant (domestic and foreign) and non-migrant farming household. Results show that remittances are not adequately investment in agriculture and therefore did not lead to efficiency input use but on food and human capital (education). Thus, women more than men contribute to household welfare through their remittances sent to their families left behind while working as domestic helpers or factory workers in other countries.
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