Is small beautiful? farm size, productivity and poverty in Asian agriculture
Small farms characterize agriculture in Asia. With the fragmentation of land holdings, the average size of farms fell in the region, while the number of small‐size holdings increased significantly. These small‐scale farmers play an important role for food security and poverty alleviation. However, w...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
Wiley
2005
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/170426 |
| _version_ | 1855513117862133760 |
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| author | Fan, Shenggen Chan-Kang, Connie |
| author_browse | Chan-Kang, Connie Fan, Shenggen |
| author_facet | Fan, Shenggen Chan-Kang, Connie |
| author_sort | Fan, Shenggen |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Small farms characterize agriculture in Asia. With the fragmentation of land holdings, the average size of farms fell in the region, while the number of small‐size holdings increased significantly. These small‐scale farmers play an important role for food security and poverty alleviation. However, whether and how these small farms can survive under globalization is a hotly debated topic. In particular, the traditional claim that “small is beautiful,” which is based on empirical observation that small farms present higher land productivity than large farms, is being challenged. It has been shown that a positive relationship also exists between farm size and labor productivity (and therefore income). To help these small farms prosper under increasing globalization, the governments have to change the “business as usual” attitude. Innovative land reform, for example, is crucial to secure property rights to farmers and to increase farm size. Equally important is the reform of public institutions in order to help small farmers to have access to credit, marketing, and technology. Moreover, promoting diversification in the production of high‐value commodities can play an important role in raising the small‐holders' income. Finally, policies that facilitate urban–rural migration and promote the development of the rural nonfarm sector are essential to help alleviate poverty among small‐farm households and among the rural poor in general. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace170426 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2005 |
| publishDateRange | 2005 |
| publishDateSort | 2005 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| publisherStr | Wiley |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1704262025-01-29T12:56:58Z Is small beautiful? farm size, productivity and poverty in Asian agriculture Fan, Shenggen Chan-Kang, Connie farm size productivity poverty smallholders Small farms characterize agriculture in Asia. With the fragmentation of land holdings, the average size of farms fell in the region, while the number of small‐size holdings increased significantly. These small‐scale farmers play an important role for food security and poverty alleviation. However, whether and how these small farms can survive under globalization is a hotly debated topic. In particular, the traditional claim that “small is beautiful,” which is based on empirical observation that small farms present higher land productivity than large farms, is being challenged. It has been shown that a positive relationship also exists between farm size and labor productivity (and therefore income). To help these small farms prosper under increasing globalization, the governments have to change the “business as usual” attitude. Innovative land reform, for example, is crucial to secure property rights to farmers and to increase farm size. Equally important is the reform of public institutions in order to help small farmers to have access to credit, marketing, and technology. Moreover, promoting diversification in the production of high‐value commodities can play an important role in raising the small‐holders' income. Finally, policies that facilitate urban–rural migration and promote the development of the rural nonfarm sector are essential to help alleviate poverty among small‐farm households and among the rural poor in general. 2005-01 2025-01-29T12:56:58Z 2025-01-29T12:56:58Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/170426 en Limited Access Wiley Fan, Shenggen; Chan-Kang, Connie. 2005. Is small beautiful? farm size, productivity and poverty in Asian agriculture. Agricultural Economics 32(Supplement 1): 135-145. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0169-5150.2004.00019.x |
| spellingShingle | farm size productivity poverty smallholders Fan, Shenggen Chan-Kang, Connie Is small beautiful? farm size, productivity and poverty in Asian agriculture |
| title | Is small beautiful? farm size, productivity and poverty in Asian agriculture |
| title_full | Is small beautiful? farm size, productivity and poverty in Asian agriculture |
| title_fullStr | Is small beautiful? farm size, productivity and poverty in Asian agriculture |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is small beautiful? farm size, productivity and poverty in Asian agriculture |
| title_short | Is small beautiful? farm size, productivity and poverty in Asian agriculture |
| title_sort | is small beautiful farm size productivity and poverty in asian agriculture |
| topic | farm size productivity poverty smallholders |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/170426 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fanshenggen issmallbeautifulfarmsizeproductivityandpovertyinasianagriculture AT chankangconnie issmallbeautifulfarmsizeproductivityandpovertyinasianagriculture |