L'emploi complémentaire en milieu rural péruvien : la richesse des pauvres ?

This article analyzes the structure of non-farm and off-farm employment in rural Peru and its impact on the level and structure of farm households' income. Data used come from a field survey encompassing 300 farm households distributed among three provinces of Peru located in varied natural and economic environment. It is shown that agriculture has a weak labour absorption capacity and that non- farm and off- farm employment represent a significant share of the workers' total productive time as well as the farm households' income. Non-farm and off- farm employment have an overall negative impact on the distribution of income because the lowest paid jobs are occupied by the workers belonging to the poorest groups. Non-farm and off-farm jobs tend to strengthen the regional income disparities because they are more widespread in accessible rural areas well endowed in basic public infrastructure. These jobs however contribute to improve the standard of living of the poorest, even modestly.