Livelihood Diversification and Its Impact on Household Food Security among Farming Households in Kalu Wereda, South Wollo, Ethiopia

Abstract

Diversifying livelihoods is one of the key strategies often adopted to tackle the challenge of food insecurity. This study analyzed the existing livelihood strategies pursued by the smallholder farmers and their impact on the food security status of farm households in Kalu Wereda, South Wollo Zone in Ethiopia. Thereby two-stage sampling procedure was employed to draw 246 rural households randomly as study participants. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources using interview schedules, key informants, and Focus Group Discussion. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric models. The survey result indicates that much of the rural households (62.22%) in the study area practice diversified livelihood strategies that combined on-farm activities with non/off-farm activities. Results from Propensity Score Matching shows that livelihood diversification brought a positive impact on households' food security status. It can be concluded that livelihood diversification can have a positive impact on rural households' food security status. Thus, it is advisable to encourage rural households' participation in different livelihood activities in addition to agriculture through facilitating credit services and creating market linkage for smallholder farmers in the study area.

Keywords: livelihood diversification; food security; propensity score matching, Ethiopia

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-5-03

Publication date:March 31^st 2022