Determinants of Rural Households’ Choice of Non-Farm Livelihood Patterns in Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

The study ascertained the determinants of the choice of non-farm livelihood patterns of rural households in Southeast Nigeria. The specific objectives were to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of rural households in the study area, identify the predominant non-farm livelihood patterns adopted by rural households and ascertain available livelihood resources and estimate the determinants of the choice of non-farm livelihood patterns among households in the study area. A five (5)–stage random sampling procedure was used in the selection of 360 samples for the study. A structured and validated interview schedule was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using mean, frequencies, percentages and ordered logit regression model. Results indicated that trading (mean = 3.98), commercial cars/motorcycle services (mean = 3.91), Bicycle repairing (mean = 3.71), tailoring and weaving (mean = 3.53), were the predominant non-farm livelihood patterns of the respondents. Furthermore, human capital (mean = 2.86) and social capital resources (mean = 3.13) were their available livelihood resources. Human capital resources (p = 0.001) and physical capital resources (p = 0.076) were the determinants of respondents’ choice of non-farm livelihood patterns. The study recommends that all stakeholders should intensify rural infrastructural development.