Factors Influencing Household Livelihood Diversification: The Case of Kebri Dahar District, Korahey Zone of Somali Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, livelihood diversification has become a major source of income for rural communities. This study was carried out in rural kebeles in the Kebri Dahar district, and it focuses on livelihood diversification strategies and the factors that affect livelihood diversification. The collected types of data were from primary and secondary sources based on a qualitative and quantitative basis. Multistage sampling techniques were employed in selecting the representative households of 119 respondents. Furthermore, multinomial logistic regressions were used to analyze and achieve the objective. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze the collected data. The results revealed that 33.6%, 3.30%, 10.1%, and 52.9% of the respondents participated in the on-farm, off-farm, nonfarm, and combinations of livelihood activities, respectively. The descriptive statistics showed that 52.9% of the respondents diversified their livelihoods and 47.1% did not. The multinomial logistic regression shows that being male-headed as well as the increased age of HH head were found to be significant at a 1% significance level in three livelihood activities which positively and negatively influenced livelihood diversification. Livelihood diversification has a positive impact on security in the study area. Thus, it should be promoted not only by the government and nongovernmental organizations but also by individuals who are interested in livelihood diversification since it implies food security.

Challenges and Opportunities of Livelihood Diversification in Ethiopia: A Review Article

“…Furthermore, a study conducted among peri-urban households in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, found that diversification of livelihoods was crucial to addressing poverty and food insecurity and improving the welfare of peri-urban people [13]. In the Kebri Dahar district of Ethiopia, livelihood diversification has positively impacted food security and should be promoted to enhance security in the area [14]. These studies demonstrate the potential of livelihood diversification strategies to improve the well-being of rural households and enhance their resilience in the face of environmental and economic challenges.…”