Abstract:
The primary objectives of the study were to assess the influence of non-farm participation
on various dimensions of food security, additionally, the research sought to examine the
socio-economic factors that mediate the impact of non-farm activities on food security.
The research utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods to capture a holistic view
of the subject. Surveys were conducted to collect quantitative data on income generation,
employment opportunities, and resource diversification associated with non-farm
participation. This study investigated the impact of non-farm activities on food security in
rural households, using daily calorie intake as the primary measure of food security. In
order to achieve the objectives of the study, descriptive statistics and econometrics model
such as Employing Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR), Propensity Score Matching
(PSM) and Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW)were employed. Employing Endogenous
Switching Regression (ESR), Inverse Probability Weighting (IPW), and Propensity Score
Matching (PSM) with kernel matching, the analysis reveals that participation in non-farm
activities significantly enhances food security. The results show substantial increases in
daily calorie intake for households engaged in non-farm activities, with the Average
Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) consistently indicating improved outcomes across
all methods. The study also highlights positive spillover effects on non-participants and
identifies significant heterogeneity in treatment effects, underscoring the importance of
context-specific policy interventions. The findings suggest that promoting non-farm
activities can be a viable strategy for improving food security and economic welfare in
rural areas, providing a strong foundation for targeted policy recommendations aimed at
fostering rural economic empowerment and resilience.
