Work

Intra-household farm decisions, agricultural risks, and household welfare: Evidence from smallholder farmers in four SSA countries

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The agricultural sector in many Sub-Saharan African countries is marked by different risk factors. Furthermore, in many farming households, farm decision-making could either be taken by the husband alone or both spouses, most of the time with men making the main farming decisions. Using micro-level household datasets, Smallholder Household Survey, for four countries in sub-Saharan Africa, this study examines the effect of intra-household farm decisions on the likelihood of farmers experiencing agricultural risk on one hand, and the intersection of the drivers of agricultural risks and intra-household farm decisions' impact on smallholder household welfare. The study shows that socioeconomic factors determine the likelihood of farmers experiencing agricultural risk and that in the face of these risks, intra-household farm decisions affect household welfare. The study makes evidence-based recommendations to reduce farmers’ vulnerabilities to agricultural risks and proposes spousal joint decision-making regarding farming activities and smallholder household welfare enhancement.

Source: Scientific African

DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02693

Author: Alhassan Abdul-Wakeel Karakara

Institution: University of Cape Coast

Language: English

Topic: Agricultural risk and resilience

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, No poverty, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $590