Non-farm wages and poverty alleviation in developing countries

Abstract This paper is about rural non-farm income and poverty alleviation in sub-Saharan Africa and the determinants of differentials access to rural non-farm incomes, with an overview of trends in the magnitude, and location of rural poverty. It also offers evidence that advances our understanding of rural poverty, by presenting quantitative analysis of the determinants of rural income from farm and non-farm sources, drawing on data from Rural Income Generating Activities data base of 15 countries, complemented by demographic, health, production and income data from other sources. In order to reduce rural poverty, policies should concentrate both on improving household activities already available, most prominently farming and on expanding the range of potential activities of family members. The lessons from experience and much of the rural development literature is that the income generating potential, the ability to access and take advantage of activities, depending on access to fixed assets.