As in most modernising agrarian states, the rural economy in Afghanistan is a complex mix of on- and off-farm activity and
characterized by intra-rural and rural-urban mobility and multiple sources of livelihoods. Despite this, land ownership continues to represent a significant divider between rich and poor. Owning a home in the rural areas is also found to be a critical platform for survival and a factor that has received too little attention to date. Homelessness carries
over from generation to generation and itinerant farm laborers are exploited in their dependence upon others for winter shelter. Declared rural homelessness is in the region of 15 percent of the population but is likely much higher when the multitude of (especially female-headed) households living in others’ houses is considered. Small herds of small stock are generally the single capital asset of itinerant homeless labourers. Rising cultivation of pastures and privatisation of pastures means loss of access to these and further constrains livelihoods in this sector.