PATTERNS AND DETERMINANTS OF LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION AMONG FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN ODEDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the patterns and determinants of livelihood diversification among farm households in Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun state, Nigeria. The study data was primary data obtained in a cross section survey of 70 randomly selected households drawn by a three stage sampling technique from 14 randomly selected farming villages in the study area. The data were obtained by personally administered questionnaire and was focused on the socio-economic characteristics of the farm households, the various income generating activities and income from all sources. The level of  livelihood diversification was determined using Herfindahl index. The study data were analysed for each households by descriptive and regression (logit) techniques. Evidence from regression analysis shows that income from non-farm sources accounted for 37.1 percent  of the farm households income. Only few (22.9 percent) farm households depended solely on only one source of income which was farming. Households of Divorcee tends to be significantly much diversified than the average of the sample while increase in education as well as farm income tends to lower the extent of livelihood diversification. Islamic adherent are less likely to have diversified income portfolios than their  Christian counterpart. The results shows that low farm income is a critical factor encouraging livelihood diversification in the study area. Thus, policy aim at keeping farm households in Agriculture will need to focus on measure to raise their farm income.