The Determinants of Livelihood Diversification Strategies in Qecha Bira Woreda, Kambata Tambaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Rural households engage in to livelihood diversification activities to ensure their food needs. The livelihood diversification is determined by different factors. This study investigated the determinants of these strategies in Qecha Birra woreda. Multistage sampling technique was employed to select 355 household heads of study area. The descriptive statistics result indicated that majority of the rural households (41.6%) engaged into on farm activity. However, the rest 22.54%, 21.41% and 14.37% combine on farm with off farm, non-farm and off farm plus non-farm livelihood activities respectively. This shows that agriculture is still dominant livelihood activity in the study area. Multinomial logistic regression model result demonstrated sex of the household heads, age, education status, training, and extension service, credit access, livestock ownership and market access are found to be significant determinants of the diversification. Therefore due attention should be given to strengthen livelihood diversification strategies so as to improve food security.

Keywords: Livelihood, Diversification, Determinants, multinomial Logit model, Food security

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-9-02

Publication date:May 31^st 2019