The Role of High-Value Agriculture in Capability Expansion: Qualitative Insights into Smallholder Cash Crop Production in Nepal, Laos and Rwanda

IF 2.5 3区社会学 Q2 DEVELOPMENT STUDIES European Journal of Development Research Pub Date : 2023-10-01 DOI:10.1057/s41287-023-00600-1

Marie-Luise Matthys, Patrick Illien, Sushant Acharya, Michèle Amacker, Sabin Bieri, Ildephonse Musafili, Outhoumphone Sanesathid

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Abstract

Abstract High-value agriculture contributes to rural incomes, but does it also contribute to expanding “human capabilities” (Sen, Development as freedom, Knopf, New York, 1999) in a durable way? Through long-term qualitative fieldwork in three landlocked LDCs—Nepal, Rwanda and Laos—resulting in over 150 interviews, we found expansions of the three analysed capabilities: paid work, mobility and social relations. Yet, those improvements were characterised by precariousness: they were mostly not resilient in the face of the economic and environmental risks that high-value agriculture entails. The only example of a durable capability expansion was found in Nepal, where women claimed social spaces through collective organisation. All three study sites showed remarkable consistency in that the considerable risk involved in cash crop production was mainly borne by farmers and rural labourers. Research on mechanisms to guard against these risks at household or individual level is warranted.

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高价值农业在能力扩张中的作用:对尼泊尔、老挝和卢旺达小农经济作物生产的定性分析

高价值农业有助于提高农村收入，但它是否也有助于以持久的方式扩大“人的能力”(Sen，发展作为自由，Knopf, New York, 1999) ?通过在三个内陆最不发达国家——尼泊尔、卢旺达和老挝——进行的长期定性实地调查，我们进行了150多次访谈，发现了所分析的三种能力的扩展:有偿工作、流动性和社会关系。然而，这些改善的特点是不稳定:面对高价值农业带来的经济和环境风险，它们大多没有弹性。持久能力扩张的唯一例子是尼泊尔，那里的妇女通过集体组织争取社会空间。所有三个研究地点都显示出显著的一致性，即经济作物生产所涉及的相当大的风险主要由农民和农村劳动者承担。有必要研究在家庭或个人一级防范这些风险的机制。

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来源期刊

European Journal of Development Research DEVELOPMENT STUDIES-

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

4.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The European Journal of Development Research (EJDR) redefines and modernises what international development is, recognising the many schools of thought on what human development constitutes. It encourages debate between competing approaches to understanding global development and international social development. The journal is multidisciplinary and welcomes papers that are rooted in any mixture of fields including (but not limited to): development studies, international studies, social policy, sociology, politics, economics, anthropology, education, sustainability, business and management. EJDR explicitly links with development studies, being hosted by European Association of Development Institutes (EADI) and its various initiatives. As a double-blind peer-reviewed academic journal, we particularly welcome submissions that improve our conceptual understanding of international development processes, or submissions that propose policy and developmental tools by analysing empirical evidence, whether qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods or anecdotal (data use in the journal ranges broadly from narratives and transcripts, through ethnographic and mixed data, to quantitative and survey data). The research methods used in the journal''s articles make explicit the importance of empirical data and the critical interpretation of findings. Authors can use a mixture of theory and data analysis to expand the possibilities for global development. Submissions must be well-grounded in theory and must also indicate how their findings are relevant to development practitioners in the field and/or policy makers. The journal encourages papers which embody the highest quality standards, and which use an innovative approach. We urge authors who contemplate submitting their work to the EJDR to respond to research already published in this journal, as well as complementary journals and books. We take special efforts to include global voices, and notably voices from the global South. Queries about potential submissions to EJDR can be directed to the Editors. EJDR understands development to be an ongoing process that affects all communities, societies, states and regions: We therefore do not have a geographical bias, but wherever possible prospective authors should seek to highlight how their study has relevance to researchers and practitioners studying development in different environments. Although many of the papers we publish examine the challenges for developing countries, we recognize that there are important lessons to be derived from the experiences of regions in the developed world. The EJDR is print-published 6 times a year, in a mix of regular and special theme issues; accepted papers are published on an ongoing basis online. We accept submissions in English and French.