Diversification on Small Farms: An Empirical Investigation of Panel Data for 2001–10

Pakistan’s agricultural sector has experienced restructuring over the last decade, from changes in land markets to the move toward nonagricultural labor markets. However, agriculture remains one of the most important sources of livelihood, accounting for 45 percent of the country’s workforce. It is also a key policymaking area, but the role of small farmers in poverty reduction is still being examined. The future of small farms cannot be viewed in isolation, that is, without taking into account their synergies with nonfarm rural activities. We measure the impact of diversifying sources of livelihood on household income and consumption among small farms in rural Pakistan. Using a balanced panel of 2,058 households from the Pakistan Panel Household Survey (2001–10), we find that both consumption and income are (i) significantly higher for households that have diversified their sources of income and (ii) diversified households also plant greater varieties of crops. These results suggest that nonagricultural activities tend to complement agricultural activities with a view to improving welfare in a rural economy.