DETERMINANTS OF OFF-FARM PARTICIPATION AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN HARAMAYA DISTRICT OF EAST HARARGE ZONE

Abstract

The study analysed off-farm activities participation and factors determinants of off-farm activities among rural households in Haramaya district, East Hararge. The data from 369 farmers were collected using a multistage technique from six kebeles of Haramaya District. Whereas interview schedules, focus group discussions and field observations were made directly. The collected data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Descriptive statistics and along with a multinomial logit model have been employed to analyze the data. The findings that 39.84 present of the respondents do not participate in off-farm activities. Results revealed that self-employment was the most important off-farm participating activity amongst the rural households categorized off-farm while wage-employment was the second important off-farm activity of the farmers. Variables like the Age of the household head, Sex, education, members of cooperatives, credit and were the major determinants of off-farm activities. While cultivated land size and market distance were found to be negatively related. Moreover, infrastructural problems, lack of credit facilities, inadequate asset/capital, unavailability of off-farm work, and lack of awareness and training are challenges of off farm particpation This shows the need for off-farm activities to be part of rural development policies. The interventions should also be designed to suit the needs and situations of different categories of households in the study area considering the significant factors.