Empirically based analysis of households coping with unexpected shocks in the central Himalayas

TY - JOUR

T1 - Empirically based analysis of households coping with unexpected shocks in the central Himalayas

AU - Møller, Lea Ravnkilde

AU - Smith-Hall, Carsten

AU - Meilby, Henrik

AU - Rayamajhi, Santosh

AU - Herslund, Lise Byskov

AU - Larsen, Helle Overgaard

AU - Nielsen, Øystein Juul

AU - Byg, Anja

PY - 2019/8/9

Y1 - 2019/8/9

N2 - Climate change may significantly impact the large number of households in developing countries depending on agricultural production, not least through changes in the frequency and/or magnitude of climatic hazards resulting in household income shocks. This paper analyses rural households’ responses to past experiences of and future expectations to substantial and unexpected negative and positive agricultural income shocks. Empirical data is derived from an environmentally-augmented structured household (n = 112) survey in the high mountains of central Nepal. Multinomial logit regression, using data on rural household demographics, assets (agricultural land, livestock), value of other assets such as furniture, bicycles, and agricultural implements, and income sources showed that household coping choices are determined by opportunities to generate cash. We argue that public policies should enhance the ability of rural household to generate cash income, including through environmental products.

AB - Climate change may significantly impact the large number of households in developing countries depending on agricultural production, not least through changes in the frequency and/or magnitude of climatic hazards resulting in household income shocks. This paper analyses rural households’ responses to past experiences of and future expectations to substantial and unexpected negative and positive agricultural income shocks. Empirical data is derived from an environmentally-augmented structured household (n = 112) survey in the high mountains of central Nepal. Multinomial logit regression, using data on rural household demographics, assets (agricultural land, livestock), value of other assets such as furniture, bicycles, and agricultural implements, and income sources showed that household coping choices are determined by opportunities to generate cash. We argue that public policies should enhance the ability of rural household to generate cash income, including through environmental products.

KW - Former LIFE faculty

U2 - 10.1080/17565529.2018.1518812

DO - 10.1080/17565529.2018.1518812

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1756-5529

VL - 11

SP - 597

EP - 606

JO - Climate and Development

JF - Climate and Development

IS - 7

ER -