Level Of Farm Income Research Articles

Understanding the socioeconomic determinants of adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices among smallholder potato farmers in Gilgil Sub-County, Kenya

Besides climate-smart agriculture’s (CSA) potential to meet the world’s increasing food demands in the face of climate variability through sustainably increasing food production, its acceptance among farmers is still low. This could be partly because of limited insight into the contextual underpinnings of its uptake. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between selected socioeconomic factors and the adoption of CSA in Gilgil Sub-County. This study’s results were attained from a binary logistic regression model, using a sample of 120 smallholder potato farmers in two wards of Gilgil Sub-County of Nakuru County, Kenya. An analysis of the five hypothesized explanatory socioeconomic variables contained in the model disclosed that a relationship between socioeconomic factors and adoption of CSAPs was statistically significant at a 5% level of significance (χ2 = 17.966, df = 5, p < 0.05). It further revealed that only two variables had a significant relationship with the adoption of CSAPs. Among these, included gender which was negative and statistically significant at a 5% level of significance (Wald χ2 = 6.701, df = 1, p < 0.05) and annual farm income, which was positive and statistically significant at a 5% level of significance (Wald χ2 = 8.402, df = 1, p < 0.05). Therefore, securing access to vital resources for women farmers is indispensable to enhance their capacity and compliance to adjust production methods in response to climate change. Facilitating increased farm output and income among the farmers is greatly recommended.

Impact of agricultural finance on technology adoption, agricultural productivity and rural household economic wellbeing in Ghana: a case study of rice farmers in Shai-Osudoku District

ABSTRACT This study uses focus group discussion, key informant interview, and quantitative household survey to explore how smallholders access credits and loans influence adoption of modern production technologies and what are perceived limitations to access these financial instruments in the Shia-Osuduku District in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The specific objectives of the study are; (1) to assess the challenges rice farmers face in accessing finance, (2) to determine if access to finance impacts the adoption of modern rice production technologies and (3) to determine whether loan investments in improved technologies increase productivity and income levels of farmers. The study noted that issues of mistrust for smallholder farmers by financial institutions act as barriers to facilitating their access to loans and credits. Banks and financial institutions relay their mistrust through actions such as requesting outrageous collateral, guarantors, a high sum of savings capital, and a high-interest rate for agriculture loans, delays, and bureaucratic processes in accessing loans. The study suggested that enabling policy environment and frameworks with a supportive rural infrastructure such as warehouse receipt systems can significantly increase farmers’ access to credit instruments for investment in modern technologies to increase agricultural productivity, which is essential to address issues of food insecurities and rural poverty in Ghana.

Determinants of Women's Decision-Making Power in Pest and Disease Management: Evidence From Uganda

Using quantitative data from a household survey carried out in Rubanda district, Southwestern Uganda among smallholder farmers of potato, this paper examines determinants of intra-household decision-making of women in relation to pest and disease management in a cropping season. Pests and diseases cause significant crop losses and contribute to household food insecurity in most of sub-Saharan Africa. Their management is therefore key in enhancing food security. While there are many pest and disease management practises, little is known about women's autonomy in decision-making on this topic. The survey collected quantitative data from 260 households (130 men and 130 women). To get a more accurate proxy for decision-making power, a weighted index and linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between decision-making power of women in pest and disease management and socio-demographic characteristics. We found that farming experience, use of hired labour and membership to a farmers group, were positively associated with woman's autonomy in decision-making during pest and disease management. Our data also show that higher levels of education, farm income and age consistently improve women authority. The implications of the study are that, women should equally be targeted during pest and disease management interventions such as training.

Does credit utilization lead to increasing farm outcome? a micro-perspective of tea production from Rwanda

Credit is a crucial factor for tea growers to pay for physical farm inputs mainly input fertilizers, research and development of high yielding tea clones and labour in order to improve the production of green tea leaf and to meet factories’ demand for raw materials. However, mismanagement of accessed credits by farmers has been reported among the snags affecting the sector development. The study analyzed the determinants and impact of credit utilization on farm income among smallholder tea growers in Nyaruguru District, Rwanda. Crosssectional tea household level data were collected from 358 farmers randomly selected from tea cooperatives. The credit utilization and causal effect were estimated using the Endogenous Switching Regression model. Results showed a positive and significant relationship between credit utilization and tea farm income. Precisely, the causal effect of credit is a 7% increase in tea income for farmers who utilised credit for tea production, while its potential effect is up to a 55% decrease in tea income for those who divert credit for out-off tea production uses. Furthermore, training on good agricultural practices and credit management, cost of farm inputs, labour and access to group credit significantly influence utilization of credit for tea production. However, the size of credit (cash) and off-farm businesses significantly increase the diversion of credit and level of tea farm income. Tea farmers are encouraged to use tea credits for planned projects. Sensitizing farmers to procure farm input fertilizers in bulk through cooperatives should be vigorously pursued to discourage credit diversion.&#x0D; Key words: tea credits, tea farming households, farm income, endogenous switching regression

A Comparative study on Yield performance of Finger Millet Varieties under rainfed conditions in South Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha

A Comparative study on Yield performance of Finger Millet Varieties under rainfed conditions in South Eastern Ghat Zone of Odisha

Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in Brazil: understanding the influence of socioeconomic and psychological factors

PurposeDespite substantial efforts made by Brazil’s government to increase the adoption rate of sustainable agricultural practices (SAP), many of them have not been adopted by the farmers. This paper explores the factors influencing the adoption of SAP in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, one of the largest Brazilian grain producers.Design/methodology/approachUsing four logistic models, the authors test a conceptual framework that provides a systemic view of farmers' adoption decisions from a sample of 172 farmers.FindingsThe findings show that the adoption of SAP is influenced by farmers' socioeconomic characteristics (e.g. gender, level of education, farm size, asset values and farm income), attributes of SAP (compatibility of agricultural practice) and psychological factors (ecocentrism, anthropocentrism, and beliefs about climate change).Research limitations/implicationsThe results presented may not reflect the characteristics of the region studied because random sampling was not employed. Also, other psychological statements should be used in the questionnaire.Originality/valueLittle attention has been given to the analysis of farmers' psychological factors in studies on the adoption of agricultural conservation practices. This study provides a “systemic approach” that measures both socioeconomic and psychological factors.

Do Farm Subsidies Improve Labour Efficiency in Farms in EU Countries?

Purpose: Agricultural support programmes most commonly aim at attaining higher production of raw food materials or supporting processes resulting in agricultural yield. One of the most important challenges is to increase labour productivity, thanks to which working in the agricultural sector may be attractive in comparison with working in the non-agricultural sector. In literature, in the scope of agricultural economy, there is a lack of consistent results concerning the relation between the level of subsidies for operational activity and labour productivity in agriculture. The question arises whether or not subsidies for agriculture help achieve the intended results in the form of an increase in labour productivity. This reasoning gave rise to this study, which aimed at indicating the directions and strength of association between subsidies for operational activity on farms expressed per one employed and the attained labour productivity. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was carried out for EU countries divided into quartile groups defined according to labour productivity. Data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network for the period 2013-2018 were applied, and for analysis the panel regression method (with random effects) was used. Findings: It was found that together with an increase in labour productivity, the direction and the strength of impact of direct subsidies also altered. On farms of countries with a lower labour productivity, no significant relation was found. However, for the quantile groups Q2 and Q3, an increase in the level of labour productivity resulted in a positive, yet decreasing impact of subsidies. On farms of countries with the lowest labour productivity, a negative impact of subsidies was observed. Practical Implications: The conducted analysis gives reason to state that farms that have attained a high level of development, subsidies do not lead to a further growth of productivity, but only support the maintenance of the same level of farm income. Originality/value: The assessment of whether and under what conditions the subsidies bring the intended effects allows for a change in the directions of support in order to obtain better effects from spending public funds. The research was conducted for a long period of time for a group of all EU countries.

Participation in afforestation programs and the distribution of forest farm income

Studies document that forest farm households participate in afforestation programs to increase economic well-being. Moreover, higher program subsidies are expected to raise their coverage rate. However, afforestation programs in Taiwan contradict this consensus. Although 71% of forest farm households participate in an afforestation program, participants have lower forest farm incomes compared to non-participants. This study provides an answer for this empirical puzzle by showing that forest farm households not only consider the mean level, but also the stability of the program subsidy in deciding to participate. Using the instrumental variable model, we estimate the causal impact of an afforestation program on forest farm income and income inequality using a population-based sample of forest farm households in Taiwan. Results show that participation in the afforestation program decreases the mean level of forest farm income by 18%. However, it also reduces the variance in forest farm income by 30%. Thus, the high coverage rate of the afforestation program is likely driven by its effect on income stability. We also apply the recently developed profile analysis method to categorize the sample of forest farm households into compliers and non-compliers. The coverage rate of the afforestation program can be improved by targeting forest farm operators that are female or have low levels of education or more children.

Socio-economic factors affecting training and visit system of agricultural extension among yam farmers in Eket Local Government Area of akwa ibom state, nigeria

The study broadly examined the socio-economic factors affecting training and visit system of extension among yam farmers in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria The study had three specific objectives, namely: to: describe the socio-economic characteristics of the yam farmer; 2 determine the socio-economic factors affecting training and visit system of extension among yam farmers and describe the problems militating against yam production in the study area. The study adopted a purposive/judgmental sampling technique to select two hundred respondents for the study. Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and Likert scale. Data was collected through the use of a set of questionnaires administered to selected respondents. The findings of the socio-economic characteristics of the yam farmers revealed that majority 77.5% were males, with 37% of them being matured adults in the age range of 51 years and above and 66.5% of the yam farmers were married with household size of 4-7 members per family. Majority of the farmers had secondary education (55%), 46.5% had farming experience of 10 years and above with monthly farm income between N20,000 - N50,000 (46.5%). Majority 88.5% of the farmers were Christians and had monthly contact with extension agents (47%). Gender, age, religion, level of education, farm income and maritalstatus statistically and significantly affect training and visit system at 1% and 5% respectively. The major constraints faced by farmers in yam production in the study area were found to include low soil fertility (3.12), low income (2.64) and land tenure system (2.52). It is recommended that in order to improve yam production, the government of Nigeria should provide favourable environment and invest heavily in yam cultivation by providing farm inputs such as fertilizers to smallholder farmers at subsidized rates. In addition, the government should provide more loans to farmers at zero or low-interest rate. Improved extension services should be provided to farmers with new technologies in order to increase their gross margins income. Social amenities and infrastructural facilities such as; good roads network, electricity as well clean sources of water should be provided in rural areas to encourage young and educated men and women to take up yam production.&#x0D; Keywords: Agricultural Extension; Training and Visit , Communication, Farmers, Production, Demonstration

The influence of farmer behavior and motivation in land conservation on farmers’ income in the upper Ciliwung Watershed, Bogor Regency

Land conservation in the upstream Ciliwung watershed is an effort to achieve sustainable development. Considering that land conservation is external, assistance from the government is needed to implement it, especially for farmers as conservation users of land resources. The purpose of this study is the influence of farmer behavior in land conservation and motivation about land conservation on farmers’ income in the Ciliwung Hulu watershed, Bogor Regency. This research is explanatory research with a descriptive method where data collection using survey techniques. This research was conducted in the Ciliwung watershed, namely Cisarua and Megamendung Districts, Bogor Regency. To find out the behavior and motivation of farmers in land conservation that affect the income level of farmers, it was identified using the Multiple Linear Regression analysis model with OLS (Ordinary Least Square) estimation. The results showed that the behavior and motivation of farmers in land conservation in the Upper Ciliwung watershed, Bogor Regency influenced efforts to increase farmers’ income. An alternative cropping pattern, it is recommended to plant leeks once in the rainy season accompanying rice and two times to plant mustard greens accompanying leeks in the dry season.

Hemp Production Network Effects: Are Producers Tipped Toward Suboptimal Varietal Selection by Their Neighbors?

The 2018 farm bill removed industrial hemp from the Schedule 1 Controlled Substance List. In response, states scrambled to enact hemp legislation. Some hemp flower producers report their hemp fields were cross- pollinated by a neighbor growing a different hemp cultivar. For hemp flower crops, cross- pollination reduces cannabinoid concentration levels within the flower; these concentration levels dictate flower price. We show that in a repeated game, once a sufficiently large percentage of growers decide to plant hemp fiber/seed crops, cross-pollination forces flower growers to convert to fiber/seed to avoid the negative network externality. Over time, a stable, suboptimal Nash equilibrium of reduced flower production results. The most important factor driving this tip to reduced flower production is pollen transmission rates between fields. This factor can be effectively reduced through either an auction-style quota system directed at seed and fiber cultivars or intertemporal zoning laws that dictate when a particular cultivar can be planted. As applications for hemp growing licenses swell, cross- pollination between farmers becomes increasingly likely. If left unchecked by policy, farm-level income and rural economic development will be suppressed.

Economics of poultry manure utilization in land quality improvement among integrated poultry-maize-farmers in South western Nigeria

The rapid growth of Nigerian's poultry has made it more advantageous in terms of providing the essential raw material for soil fertility enhancement than other livestock. This paper evaluates the benefits of poultry manure use among integrated poultry-maize farmers in Ekiti and Osun States of Nigeria for improved land quality and continuous food production. Data were collected using Structured survey questionnaires administered on 500 randomly selected respondents in the two States. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and costs and returns techniques. Respondents were small holders, with land area grown to mazie varying between 0.01 and 3.00 hectare. Majority of the respondents have personal farms but applied poultry manure only on small portions (25%) of the total cropped area of their farmlands. On the average, 53% of the respondents used poultry manure on their farms. Respondents were fairly literate with a mean age of 43 years. Major constraints to poultry manure use include odour, transportation, scarcity, wetness, bulkiness and time wastage in descending order of importance. While odour and transportation were identified as common problems among poultry manure users in Ekiti and Osun States, bulkiness was an additional constraint for non-user respondents in both states. Poultry manure material constituted about 91% of the total cost of inputs; transportation cost was 8% while labour cost averaged 2%. The mean net income earned per annum by poultry manure users was 1.40 times higher than that for non-users. The difference in mean net income users and non-users of poultry manure constitutes an important land improvement technique capable of enhancing farm production and income levels. Thus, technologies aimed at packaging it in such a way as to remove the associated social constraints to its use by farmers need be put in place.

Analisis Pendapatan Usahatani Kakao Di Kabupaten Ende (Kajian pada Desa Kedebodu dan Rewarangga)

One of the leading plantation commodities in Indonesia is cocoa (Theobroma Cacao). Through the Decree of the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation (Kepmentan) No.46 / Kpts / PD.300 / 2015 Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara [NTT] was determined as a mainstay cocoa plantation area, but in fact, the production was not optimal. Based on these considerations, this study aims to determine the level of cocoa farming income and the factors that influence farmers' income and analyze the feasibility and usefulness of a cocoa farming fund. The method used in this research is the descriptive method. The research location was determined by purposive sampling, based on the consideration that the area is a cocoa-producing region in Ende Regency. Sampling is the Ende Selatan District of Kedebodu and Rewarangga Villages. The population is all cocoa farmers, with a sample of 20 respondents. Data were collected by interview, questionnaire, observation, and documentation techniques. The feasibility analysis is done by the B / C ratio analysis. In addition to the analysis also conducted an analysis of income and receipts with the formula TC and TR. The results showed a B / C ratio of 5.24% which meant that the cocoa business was profitable and feasible to be developed. Total income from cocoa and non-cocoa is Rp 315,732,000. and from cocoa alone. Rp 91,532,000, - and total revenue of Rp. 73,897,000, and non-cocoa Rp. 29,933,000. While the total cost of cocoa is IDR 17,635,000 and non-cocoa IDR 194,267,000. Factors influencing the cocoa business in Ende District include level of education, gender participation, labor age, age of old cocoa plants, and not yet applying profitable technology. It is advisable for farmers to intensify cocoa farming by implementing P3S, and post-harvest processing, forming young people groups and building networks of cooperation with all stakeholders.

The Impact of Climate Variability on Food Security and Coping Mechanisms of Farmers in Boricha District Southern Ethiopia

The rapid growth of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of human activities such as burning fossil fuels is raising the Earth’s temperature and leading to climate change. This results in variability in precipitation, the prevalence of more extreme weather events, and shifting seasons. The accelerating pace of climate change, combined with population growth, will also threaten food security. Climate change will result in irreparable ecological degradation and possibly the reduction of agricultural productivity in many parts of the World with serious consequences for food security. This paper investigated the impacts of climate variability on food security and coping mechanisms of farmers in Boricha district of Ethiopia by using meteorological, agricultural and socio-economic survey data. The study employed various data analysis methods such as computing the coefficient of rainfall variability, estimating the impact of rainfall and temperature change on agricultural productivity, and analyzing coping strategies of the local communities in response to climate extreme events. The coefficient of rainfall variation results show that rainfall variability has significant and negative impacts on agricultural productivity in the Boricha district. Moreover, linear regression model outputs for the relationship between rainfall and crop yields indicate that rainfall variability has been significantly affecting agricultural productivity in the district. Results from the multinomial logistic model for multi-choice coping/adaptation mechanisms also show that different socio- economic factors such as education level and age of household head, family size, farm income and livestock ownership affect how households cope with extreme climate events. This research suggests that policies should introduce adaptation measures outlined by existing rural communities such as inter-cropping, livelihood diversification and early maturing crops to incorporate indigenous knowledge to ensure food security and sustain the economic growth of the country.

Adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices by Rice Farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

The rise in population amidst climate change has exerted undue pressure on food production and security. Rice production has also been adversely affected by rising temperature and varying rainfall resulting in reduced productivity. In order to cope with the negative impact of climate change events on rice production, farmers need strengthen and improve their adaptive capacity. Therefore, a study was conducted to empirically estimate the factors affecting the adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural ( CSA) practices in rice production. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select the representative rice farmers for the study. With the aid of oral interview and questionnaires, information were elicited from 90 farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools and univariate probit model. Results revealed that majority ( 62.5 percent) of rice farmers were women, 75 percent were married, 67.5 percent were within economically active age and 85 percent had post primary education. Findings further showed that education level of farmers, family size, farm income and access to information on climate change were positively and directly related to rice farmers willingness to adopt climate smart agricultural practices at 1 percent and 5 percent levels of significance respectively. Result also showed that about 55.85 percent of rice farmers in the study location received information on climate change from village meetings, friends, relatives and other farmers. Agricultural policies that aimed at increasing incomes of rice farmers and creating awareness on climate change will be rational decision.

PENDAPATAN DAN RISIKO USAHA TAMBAK UDANG WINDU DAN UDANG VANAME DI KECAMATAN PASIR SAKTI KABUPATEN LAMPUNG TIMUR

The purposes of this study are to analyze income and risk of shrimp cultivation, factors affecting the income, and factors affecting land conversion from cultivating tiger shrimp to vaname shrimp. The study was conducted in Purworejo Village, Pasir Sakti Subdistrict, East Lampung District, in March - April 2017 using a survey method. Respondents were 60 farmers consisting of 30 vaname shrimp farmers and 30 tiger shrimp farmers taken randomly. Data processing uses income analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, coefficient of variation analysis, and logit analysis. The results showed that the income of vaname shrimp farming was Rp53,586,604.00/ha and of tiger shrimp was Rp6,818,543.00/ha. Tiger shrimp farming has a higher risk than vaname shrimp. The level of education, farm income, and shrimp prices are negatively affect the decision-making opportunities of farmers to switch from tiger shrimp farming to vaname shrimp.Keywords: income, risk, tiger shrimp, vaname shrimp

Impact of integrated fruit fly management strategy on food security among smallholder mango farmers in Kenya

Adoption of agricultural innovations is perceived as a key avenue for poverty reduction and improved food and nutritional security in developing countries. The International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) has developed and implemented a set of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies in several sub-Saharan African countries aimed at controlling mango infesting fruit flies (Bactrocera dorsalis). Although positive returns from the use of fruit fly IPM have already been documented, the impact of these technologies on food security is not well understood. This study evaluated the impact of the IPM strategy on food security with the help of a two-wave panel household survey data collected in Machakos County in Kenya. A difference-in-difference model was fitted to the data of a randomly selected sample of 600 mango growing households. A seven-day recall was used to elicit per capita calorie intake, while a 30-day recall was used to measure household dietary diversity. A before-and-after intervention and with-and-without (treatment and control) study design was utilized. The regression estimates indicate that fruit fly IPM use had a positive impact on per capita calorie intake but no significant effect on Household Dietary Diversity Index (HDDI) in comparison with the IPM non-users. This suggests that farmers using the fruit fly IPM technology benefit from income gains, and higher incomes improve the quantity of food consumed but not the diversity of the foods. This could be explained by a large share of the expenditure on food that was devoted to cereal staples such as maize, wheat, and rice as reported during the qualitative study. Other factors that had an effect on per capita calorie include the level of farm income, access to the extension services, wealth category and distance to agricultural input market and household size. This study recommends wider dissemination and upscaling of the fruit fly IPM strategy in mango producing regions to facilitate broader impacts on household-level food security.

Current Agricultural and Environmental Policies in Benin Republic

The need to feed the population growth conducts to the development of material intensive production systems in many countries. However the absence of adequate policies has adverse consequences on the environment and the performance of the agricultural and rural sectors. Benin Republic, through its Strategic Plan for Agricultural Sector Development (PSDSA) focuses on improving food and nutrition security, improving farm level income and building resilience to climate change within the Government Action Plan (PAG B&amp;eacute;nin R&amp;eacute;v&amp;eacute;l&amp;eacute;) 2016-2021. The aim of this study is to analyze the current agricultural policies and his link with the current environmental policies in Benin Republic. The data from Ministries and Structures in charge of Agriculture, Environment, Health and Human being were used. Reports from some international organizations such as FAO, PNUD and FIDA were also used. It is observed and planed an increase in cultivation area, all crops yields and crops production from 2016 to 2021. That will involve the more use of agricultural machinery, fertilizers and pesticides. Added to the current environment challenges, it appears the risk of soil degradation, deforestation, water and air pollution, then global impact on the environment when this plan will be implemented. It is right that some Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) are purposed for many of the actions. However, these EIA are sometime neglected and sacrificed for the profitability of agricultural production. To achieve this agricultural goal without affect the environment, the respect of the adequate law and EIA for each single activity becomes necessary.

Kinerja Usahatani Kopi di Hulu DAS Sekampung, Tanggamus, Lampung

Most of the coffee production areas in Lampung are in the vicinity of production forests andprotected forests, also a catchment area for watersheds in Lampung, namely Sekampung andWay Seputih watersheds. Continuity of sustainable coffee production lines is an importantdemand that needs to be done. The application of coffee production systems with shade(agroforestry) in the catchment area is very important in ensuring environmentalsustainability. This study aims to analyze the income performance of agroforestry coffeebased on the land status in Hulu Das Sekampung. The research uses survey methods. Fielddata exploration conducted in April-November 2016 is located in Datar Lebuay and SinarJawa Villages. Air Naningan, Tanggamus, Lampung. The descriptive statistical analysismethod is used to explain the performance of agroforestry coffee production at the researchlocation. Based on the results and discussion it was concluded that farmers with landownership status had the highest level of coffee farming income compared to the land statusof HKm and non-HKm. Agroforestry coffee farmers obtain sources of income from coffeeproduction, MPTS production, and other crop production (multiple cropping). The averagecontribution of coffee farming income is 22% of the total farm income. Coffee contributes22% to the total income of farmer households. Farmer's household income with the status ofland ownership is the highest compared to the land status of HKm and Non-HKm. Thediversity of income sources of upstream farmers in the watershed. The villages that comefrom various vegetation plants are important in maintaining land cover as a catchment area.The practice of agroforestry coffee is an adaptation of sustainable production in the upperwatershed Sekampung. The pattern of agroforestry coffee production in the area aroundprotected and watershed forests needs to be continuously developed.

Assessment of livelihood opportunities among farmers in the Shai Osudoku district of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

The objective of this study was to assess livelihood opportunities among smallholder farmers in five communities namely Dodowa, Ayikuma, Agomeda, Asutsuare and Doryum in the Shai Osudoku district of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana. One hundred and fifty (150) farmers were selected from the Shai Osudoku district using multi-stage sampling procedure. Purposive sampling was used to select these communities due to their intensive involvement in farming. Furthermore, simple random sampling technique was adopted to pick 150 farmers for the survey. The study showed that farm households were able to 'pair' their farming activities with alternative livelihoods without abandoning their primary livelihoods, which is farming. The income levels of farmers from their primary livelihood activities were comparatively low with majority, 82.7%, earning GH₵ 100 or less every month compared with fewer farmers, 13.3%, earning above GH₵ 150. However, more than half of farmers (58%) earned above GH₵ 150 every month from their alternative livelihoods. Again, farmers who decided to undertake their primary and alternative livelihoods concurrently have seen a rise in the level of their income and accordingly contributing to the reduction of income poverty among rural farm households.