International Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural development Vol. 1 (1), pp. 010-016, October, 2013. Advanced Scholars Journals

 Review

 Review on Rural livelihood diversification among the smallholder farmers in some Africa countries

 Sisay Belay Bedeke

 Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Haramaya University P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. E-mail: [email protected]

 Accepted 8 October, 2013

 Abstract

 Past studies revealed vulnerability associated with agricultural production rural livelihood diversification in Africa. A livelihood comprises capabilities, material and social resources and activities required for a means  of living which also takes into account the role played by structures, policies and processes in influencing the choice of livelihood strategies by the rural poor. There are no recent reliable estimates to see if the  diversification strategies have been improved after the introduction of economic reforms in Africa. Many studies hypothesized that that the availability of assets such as savings, land, labor, education, access to market  or employment opportunities and other public goods is a primary factor in determining a household’s capability to diversify their livelihood. Therefore, this study reviews diversification techniques adopted by different  scholars in the estimation of livelihood of the smallholder farmers in Africa. It will also fill the gaps that have been yet addressed by the researchers in a study related to livelihood diversification.

 Key words: Africa, smallholder, farmers, livelihood diversification, rural.