THE ROLE OF NON-FARM ACTIVITIES IN SUSTAINABLE RURAL LIVELIHOOD THE CASE OF ABICHUNA GNEA WOREDA, OROMIA, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The research was conducted with the objectives of assessing the role of non-farm activities in sustaining the livelihood of Abichuna Gnea Woreda Central Oromia, examining the status of non-farm activity in the study area; examine the contribution of non-farm activity to the rural livelihood in the study area in particular are the detailed objectives of this study. A descriptive research design was used due to the nature of the study. In order to achieve this objective a primary data was collected from 156 randomly selected households using household survey questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussion were used as data collection tools so as to generate first hand information. For the data analysis purpose, descriptive statistics including frequency and percentages, charts, table and graphs were used to describe the livelihood of the study area, non-farm rural economy Generally, the study showed that rural household heads in the study kebeles have diversified non-farm activities to sustaining their livelihoods and those who practiced diversified activities were more benefited from the economy. Finally, farm household heads should be aware to non-farm diversificationaddition efforts should be made to improve skill and knowledge gap of household heads through provision of training. Furthermore, it should be work intensively in access to credit services and increase the amount of money saved