"Off-farm jobs are not a side story in rural Africa — they are central to reducing poverty, improving nutrition, and empowering women" Chrispinus Mutsami defended his doctoral thesis on Off-farm employment, gender, and nutrition in rural Africa.

What is Chrispinus' research about?

Chrispinus draws on publicly available panel datasets and original survey data from several African countries to examine how rural households diversify their income sources and the welfare implications of off-farm employment. His research places strong emphasis on gender dynamics, particularly women’s participation in off-farm work and its effects on household income, consumption patterns, and dietary quality.

The research findings show that off-farm activities constitute a substantial share of rural household income and that women’s engagement in wage and self-employment is positively associated with improved calorie and micro-nutrient intake at both household and individual levels. At the same time, the research highlights gender-differentiated labor responses to agricultural technologies and the potential for off-farm employment to increase women’s work burdens, underscoring the need for gender-sensitive rural employment and agricultural policies

Chrispinus about his doctoral research

“Off-farm jobs are not a side story in rural Africa — they are central to reducing poverty, improving nutrition, and empowering women. But policies need to be gender-sensitive to make those opportunities real and accessible.”

Chrispinus' personal thanks

“I am deeply grateful to my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Matin Qaim, and my tutor, Dr. Martin Parlasca, for their invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout this PhD journey. I also thank my friends and colleagues at ZEF for their encouragement and support, which greatly contributed to the successful completion of this work. Finally, I am sincerely grateful to my family for their love, encouragement, and constant support.”