FARM LABOR IN LESOTHO : SCARCITY OR SURPLUS?

Suggests a possible shortage amidst labor surpluses to explain the decline of Lesotho"s agricultural sector during the last quarter-century. Contains discussions of aggregate labor supplies; labor-income response to mechanism; male and female labor supplies in agriculture; labor demand, by farm function and crop; and human capital balance sheet in agriculture. Concludes that agricultural labor shortages prevail in terms of labor force withdrawals in deference to income levels/employment options in South Africa and "food-aid" labor projects. This results in increased fallow land, yield and output declines, and constraints on future development of crop agriculture. Recommends contingency plans to relieve overworked female component of labor force and to develop a migrant worker re-employment program. Includes 15 tables of relevant labor and agricultural data.