Abstract:
Globally, agriculture remains a primary source of livelihood for many rural residents. With reduced agricultural productivity among rural households, residents are increasingly vulnerable to livelihood shocks and seasonality. Non-farm diversification is considered a leading alternative in sustaining livelihoods among rural farm households. However, how engaging in non-farm activities impacts rural farmers' livelihoods is less explored. The sequential explanatory design was used to investigate non-farm livelihood strategies among farmers in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipality. The Asset and Insurance Based Theories constituted the theoretical basis for the study. Out of the population of 2,108 farmers drawn from four selected communities, a sample of 332 was used using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data was collected through a questionnaire and interview guide and analysed using means, standard deviation, and linear regressions. Results portray non-farm diversification among farm households as a norm. Findings further showed that farmers who had taken up various activities in the non-farm sector were more resilient to shocks and seasonality and had steady incomes with increased farm or agricultural output. However, poor rural infrastructure, lack of finance and skills were key factors that limited the effective take-up of non-farm activities. The study recommends that local government agencies and development-based NGOs expose farmers to opportunities that come with engaging in non-farm livelihoods through training and capacity building. Rural inafrastructure such as roads and electricity as well as markets needs to be expanded to enable farmers take up opportunities in the non-farm sector.
