Empirically based analysis of households coping with unexpected shocks in the central Himalayas. (9th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Møller, Lea Ravnkilde; Smith-Hall, Carsten; Meilby, Henrik; Rayamajhi, Santosh; Herslund, Lise Byskov; Larsen, Helle Overgaard; Nielsen, Øystein Juul; Byg, Anja
• Is Part Of: Climate and development. Volume 11:Number 7(2019)
• Page Start: 597
• Page End: 606
• Publication Date: 2019-08-09
• Subjects: Coping -- livelihoods -- vulnerability -- Nepal; Climatic changes -- Periodicals; Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Global temperature changes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 363.7387405
• DOI: 10.1080/17565529.2018.1518812
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-5529

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 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.