Rural livelihood diversification and its effects on household food security: a case study at Damota Gale Woreda, Wolayta, southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This research aimed at identifying the major livelihood diversification activities, reasons for diversification and the main challenges of livelihood diversification and assessing the effect of livelihood diversification on food security at household level. A blended approach that involved quantitative and qualitative research methods was used. Quantitative data were collected through household survey using questionnaire, while focus group discussions, key informant interview and direct observation were used to generate the relevant qualitative data. The data were analysed using appropriate methods and the results revealed that the insufficient endowment of households with the major livelihood assets (the tiny landholding being the prominent one) hampered their efforts to produce sufficient food for their household requirement. Diversification was widespread in the study area and it was the poor and the destitute households who diversified their livelihood most. The research also found out that livelihood diversification, despite its being taken up as a food security strategy mostly by the poor and the destitute who have limited access to livelihood assets, could not enable the households to feel food secure.

Keywords: Livelihoods, diversification, food security, Wolayta