Review on livelihood diversification and food security situations in Ethiopia

Abstract

This review focused on the livelihood diversification and food security situations in Ethiopia. Hence, the objectives of this review were to identify the determinants of rural household livelihood diversification and food security situations, to compile the major causes of food security of the rural households, to assess the food security status of rural households, and to review the effect of livelihood diversification on improving the food security status of rural households in country. The review was based on reviewing secondary data from journal articles, books, published and unpublished reports of national and international organizations, and policy briefs based on their relevance to the topic. According to the review, the country policy framework has focused only on on-farm agricultural development strategy and has not given adequate attention for non-farm and off-farm livelihood diversification strategies to assure rural households food security in the country. However, non-farm and off-farm strategies are currently the important strategies to rise the income of the rural households for improving the rural households’ food security. Currently, 57% of rural households were engaged in non-farm livelihood strategies. Therefore, this review will provide an adequate information to policymakers, planners, and other concerned bodies to intervene and improve the food security situations of the rural households in the country. Accordingly, future policies, strategies, programs as well as activities in the country should be focused on improving the food security situations in Ethiopia through promoting non-farm and off-farm rural livelihood diversification strategies.