UNEMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF OFF-FARM EMPLOYMENT TO RURAL ECONOMY - A CASE-STUDY FROM SOUTHWESTERN BANGLADESH

Based on a year data collected over 1 year from a sample of 200 househ olds living in a village in southwestern Bangladesh, the present study examines the prevalence of higher rates of unemployment and underempl oyment in agriculture particularly among the landless and small farmer s and sharecroppers. When compared with the existing previous data fro m other parts of the country, growing rates of unemployment and undere mployment in agriculture were evidenced. Population pressure, landless ness, environmental constraints, and technological changes in agricult ure are some of the causes of unemployment in farming. Both male, fema le, and child laborers in the farm household perform various amounts a nd types of off-farm work to supplement low farm income. Off-farm inco me accounted for 66% of the family income. Contributions of female and child labor are significant. Education and urbanization show positive effects on the availability of off-farm work as well as off-farm inco me.