Using data from two Cambodian villages, this study examines the effect of household assets on individuals’ choice between domestic destinations and Thailand as migration destination, while also accounting for possible interaction effects of family bonds and Thai migrant networks. Results of econometric analysis show that those with large farmland tend to choose domestic destinations, apparently to avoid cross-border family separation. The probability of choosing Thailand as the destination is large for households with small farmland especially when informal channels are used for cross-border migration, the cost of which would be reduced by a developed migrant network. These findings imply that migrants to Thailand are more likely to come from asset-poor households, although that can happen only because of the existence of informal channels to cross the border. The possible psychological burden of cross-border family separation is also a matter of concern.
In recent years, land mobility has been enhanced mainly through farmland leasing. Currently,about 50% of the nation’s total farmland is managed by leading producers. Although there are voluminous studies on farmland mobility or land consolidation,very few studies have examined the factors contributing to enhanced farmland mobility from a holistic point of view.
This paper is intended to explore the determinants of farmland mobility with focus on the length of a lease contract. It also intends to highlight the differences in such determinants across various types of farmland mobility. Our empirical analysis relies on the panel data composed of 42 prefectures for three sub-periods spanning 1995–2009.
The main results derived from the estimation are as follows. First,leading farmers are more likely to lease farmlands through a long-term contract. Second, the demand for non-farming purposes has little effect on farmland mobility through lease contracts with land rent.