Assessment of Livelihood Diversification Strategies Among Rural Household in Osun State

This study assessed the livelihood diversification strategies adopted by rural households in Osun State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents from selected local government areas. Primary data were collected on socioeconomic characteristics, reasons for diversification, types of livelihood activities engaged in, the factors that affect the influence of livelihood diversification and constraints faced. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means, Chi-square statistics, and binary logistic regression. Results showed that the mean age of respondents was 46 years, and 61.7% were male, with a mean monthly income of ₦58,200. Major reasons for engaging in diversification included unstable farm income (x̄ = 4.38), declining soil fertility (x̄ = 4.22), and climate variability (x̄ = 4.15). The most common diversification strategies included petty trading (76.7%), artisan work (65.8%), and wage labor (59.2%). Logistic regression results showed that years of farming experience and household size significantly influenced diversification, with a correlation coefficient of 0.236 (p < 0.05). Some of the constraints faced included lack of access to practical training (x̄=4.91), lack of access to government- backed financial credit (x̄=4.59), poor infrastructure (x̄=4.47) and climate-related risks (x̄=4.25). Chi-square analysis revealed a significant relationship between socioeconomic factors such as education level, household size, and land ownership and the adoption of livelihood diversification strategies (χ² = 18.467, p < 0.05). The study concludes that livelihood diversification among rural households in Osun State is primarily driven by unstable farm income, declining soil fertility, and climate variability. These challenges push households to seek alternative income sources to ensure survival and stability. It recommends that policymakers address these root causes by promoting climate-smart agriculture, improving soil management practices, and providing income support programs or alternative livelihood schemes to reduce overdependence on farming.