IMPACTOFLIVELIHOODDIVERSIFICATIONONRURALFOOD SECURITYINKUCHADISTRICTOFGAMOZONE,SOUTH ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Livelihood diversification strategy has adopted by rural households to diversify their income sources. The livelihood strategies of the rural households have been categorized in to on farm alone, on-farm plus non-farm, on-farm plus off-farm, and the combination of on-farm plus non-farm plus off-farm strategy. The study used primary and secondary data. Primary data collected by quantitative and qualitative of pertaining at demographic, socio-economic and institutional aspect of the households in the study area, two descriptive and inferential statistical methods used, The Sample household determined by Yemane formula. This study analyzes the impact of livelihood diversification strategies on the food security among rural households in Kucha District, Gamo Zone Southern Ethiopia. Using a multinomial logistic model, the research examines the effect of socio-economic, institutional, and demographic factors on households' choices of livelihood strategies, categorized as on-farm alone, on farm plus non-farm, on-farm plus off-farm, and a combination of all three. Key determinants include the age, education level, and gender of household heads, access to credit and training, land size, livestock holding, income, and membership in cooperatives. The findings reveal that the choice of on-farm alone is negatively influenced by factors such as household head age, education, access to credit, training, and cooperative membership, while it is positively affected by land size and livestock holding. The on-farm plus non-farm strategy is positively associated with age, education, credit, training, and income, but negatively influenced by land size and livestock holding. The on-farm plus off-farm strategy is negatively affected by secondary education, family size, and land size, while positively influenced by primary education, training, and cooperative membership. The combined strategy (on-farm, non-farm, and off-farm) is negatively associated with age, gender, land size, and income, but positively influenced by education, experience, and training. The study finds that engagement livelihood in livelihood diversification activities has an impact on food security. Therefore, the impact of participation of the households in livelihood diversification activities on their income level has been examined using impact assessment method. The ATT was 1360.51 reinforcing the significant positive impact. The research recommends promoting diversified livelihood strategies, enhancing access to credit, and providing education and training to improve household resilience and food security