ABSTRACT

This paper analyses the relationship between cyclical labour migration and agrarian transition in the uplands of Nepal, Ethiopia and Kenya. It shows that while migration decision-making is linked to expanding capitalist markets, it is mediated by local cultural, political and ecological changes. In turn, cyclical migration goes on to shape the trajectory of change within agriculture. The dual dependence on both migrant income and agriculture within these upland communities often translates into an intensifying work burden on the land, and rising profits for capitalism. However, on some occasions this income can support increased productivity and accumulation within agriculture – although this depends on both the agro-ecological context and the local agrarian structure.

摘要

本文分析了尼泊尔、埃塞俄比亚和肯尼亚高地周期性劳动力迁移与农业转型之间的关系。它表明，虽然移民决策与扩大资本主义市场有关，但它受到当地文化、政治和生态变化的调节。反过来，周期性移民继续塑造农业内部变化的轨迹。这些高地社区对移民收入和农业的双重依赖往往转化为土地上日益加重的工作负担，以及资本主义利润的增加。然而，在某些情况下，这种收入可以支持农业生产力的提高和积累——尽管这取决于农业生态环境和当地的农业结构。