DETERMINANTS OF SUBSISTENCE FARMERS PARTICIPATION TO NON-FARM ACTIVITIES IN ITANG SPECIAL DISTRICT, GAMBELLA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The subsistence farmers are highly relying on farming activities as the main source of survival in Gambella region particularly in Itang Special District. This threatens the livelihood of most subsistence farmers in the district. The aim of the study was to examine determinants of subsistence farmers’ participation to non-farm activities in the study area. Multistage sampling technique was used to choose the study area and participants. The data were collected from 150 randomly selected subsistence farmers in the study area. These data were collected through households’ interview and document analysis. Moreover, the data were analyzed by using mean, standard deviation, percentage, frequency, chi-square test, t-test and binary logistic regression model. A result found that trading livestock, selling wild products, craftsman, trading of food and drinks and employed in organizations were the main non-farm activities among the subsistence farmers in the study area. In addition, the credit access, access to remittance, transport access, market access, skill training, livestock holding size and income influence the participation of households to non-farm activities. The concerned bodies need to strengthen the local institutions and alternative activities in the study area.