'The Disincentive Effect Of Food-For-Work On Labour Supply And Agricultural Intensification And Diversification In Ethiopia', Journal of Agricultural Economics Vol. 45, No. 3, September 1994 (with D. Belshaw and A. Lirenso)

Food-for-work (FFW) as a form of food aid has been criticised for its many disincentive effects. This paper investigates alleged disincentive effects of food-for-work (FFW) on labour supply and agricultural intensification and diversification in one district of Ethiopia, using a ranking exercise and a small survey of farmer opinion. Despite the popularity of FFWFood for Work (India) as a source of income, careful project design meant that disincentives were largely avoided. In particular, the take-up of FFWFood for Work (India) was restricted, by a combination of self-targeting and community based administrative rationing; and agricultural intensification and diversification were encouraged directly through extension programmes.