Abstract:
The study examined the livelihood diversification and food security of
smallholder farmers in Central Tongu district of Ghana. Cross-sectional
descriptive survey design was used to collect data from 270 smallholder
farmers in Central Tongu District using multi-stage sampling technique. Data
gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Tobit regression model and
Simpson‟s index of diversification. Findings from the study disclosed that
mean age of smallholder farmers was about 44 years old, with majority (65%)
being males. Mean years of farming was about 22 years and mean household
size was 5 people. Smallholder farmers who cultivated cassava as their main
farm activity was 37%, those who cultivated maize as subsidiary farm activity
was 15.8% and those who were engaged in trading as their subsidiary nonfarm
activity was 31.8%. The level of livelihood diversification among
smallholder farmers was 0.72 which indicated that they were moderately high
in their livelihood diversification. Critical factors which positively and
significantly influenced livelihood diversification included land size, access to
land, access to water and membership of FBO. Few of smallholder farmers
(2.2%) attained high food security and majority of smallholder farmers
(85.9%) attained moderate food security. However, 10.4% of smallholder
farmers attained low food security and 1.5% of smallholder farmers attained
very low food security. It is recommended that government and other partners
should encourage aged farmers to diversify their livelihood activities. Also,
governmental policies and programs should focus on promoting economic
development, social protection, innovation and entrepreneurship, access to
water and land among smallholder farmers in Central Tongu District
