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Informal “Ganyu” Labor Supply, and Food Security: The Case of Malawi

Food Security in a Food Abundant World

ISBN: 978-1-78560-215-3, eISBN: 978-1-78560-214-6

Publication date: 12 January 2016

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the factors that motivate rural households to supply ganyu labor and to estimate its impact on food security.

Methodology/approach

Data from the 2010/2011 Malawi household survey were used. A probit model to evaluate the determinants of ganyu labor supply and a propensity score-matching estimator to assess its impact on food security were used.

Findings

Less educated males are more likely to supply ganyu labor. Ganyu labor supply increases with household size, while it decreases with the level of crop farming and size of land owned. Results from the average treatment effect indicate a positive and significant impact of ganyu labor participation on the number of meals consumed per day.

Practical implications

Ganyu labor participants in Malawi have better access to food as a result of cash income from ganyu. Government support mechanisms such as minimum wage regulations should consider the welfare of ganyu labor participants.

Keywords

Citation

Sitienei, I., Mishra, A.K. and Khanal, A.R. (2016), "Informal “Ganyu” Labor Supply, and Food Security: The Case of Malawi", Food Security in a Food Abundant World (Frontiers of Economics and Globalization, Vol. 16), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 159-175. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1574-871520150000016015

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited