Transnational Labour Migration, Livelihoods and Agrarian Change in Nepal: The Remittance Village

This book explores how transnational labor migration and remittances shape poverty and livelihood dynamics in a Nepali remittance village,challenging linear narratives that assume these opportunities provide better pathways out of poverty. It emphasizes the importance of land and farming for the rural poor and finds that new opportunities are often inaccessible and can increase precarity and vulnerability.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Through the lens of a Nepali remittance village, this book delves critically into the intricate dynamics of poverty and livelihood transformation wrought by transnational labor migration and remittances, exploring their intricate relationships with land, rural labor, and agriculture. The concept of the "remittance village" sheds light on the transnational mobility of rural populations as a central aspect of contemporary developments in numerous regions of the Global South, reshaping rural social, economic, and ecological landscapes. Sunam challenges prevailing linear narratives that posit that transnational migration and remittances offer promising pathways for the rural poor to escape poverty, as well as those that underestimate the significance of land and farming for these individuals. He compellingly demonstrates that while new opportunities may be accessible to some, they often come with heightened precarity and vulnerability. Moreover, Sunam reveals that even those who gain access to these opportunities often require the simultaneous engagement of household members in in-situ (non-)agricultural activities for sustained success.

In this book, Sunam offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding poverty and livelihood transformation in the remittance village context. He unpacks the multifaceted factors that shape these dynamics, including the role of remittances in supporting livelihoods, the challenges faced by migrant workers, and the impact of globalization on rural communities. Through his empirical research and analysis, Sunam challenges the notion that remittances alone can eradicate poverty and highlights the need for comprehensive policies and interventions that address the root causes of inequality and poverty.

The Remittance Village is a valuable resource for scholars and students from diverse interdisciplinary fields, including human geography, anthropology of development, and sociology. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the complex interplay between transnational labor migration, remittances, land, rural labor, and agriculture. The book offers insightful insights into the experiences of rural communities and sheds light on the challenges and opportunities they face in the context of global economic change. It also provides valuable policy recommendations for practitioners and policymakers working in the field of rural development in the Global South.

In conclusion, The Remittance Village is a groundbreaking work that contributes significantly to our understanding of poverty and livelihood transformation in the Global South. Sunam's insightful analysis and compelling storytelling shed light on the complex web of factors that shape rural communities and offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities they face. This book is a must-read for scholars, students, and policymakers interested in understanding the dynamics of rural development and the role of transnational labor migration and remittances in shaping rural societies.

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032336640