Could Education Retain Farmers in the Local Area

Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, June 2012, v. 53, iss. 1, pp. 39-47

Zhu, Hongfei; He, Lixin; Yuan, Tangjun

*Fudan University;

*Fudan University;

*Fudan U and Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University

ABSTRACT

In this study, using the multinomial logit model, we investigate what factors influence farmers' choices between the alternatives of agricultural work, nonagricultural work, temporary migration, and permanent migration. We find that improving education can help local areas retain their surplus farmers, who can then work in local nonagricultural jobs or migrate permanently.

Keywords: Education; Farmers; Migration