Analysis of Livelihood Strategies of Farm Households in Southern Benin

Abstract

Gaining insight into the livelihood strategies adopted by farmers is crucial for the success of interventions aiming at improving livelihood in rural areas. This study assessed the livelihood strategies adopted by farm households in southern Benin. The study was carried out in Allada and Bonou, districts located in the southern region of Benin which was purposively selected for their noticeable agrarian and economic activities. A total of 160 farm households were randomly sampled and data was collected through interview with a structured questionnaire. The two-sample t-test was used to compare sources of household income in terms of the livelihood strategies adopted by farmers. The multinomial logit model was applied to investigate the factors influencing the households ‘choice of livelihood strategies. The Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) was used to estimate the vulnerability level in Allada and Bonou districts. The results revealed that in southern Benin, farming activities produce increasingly higher share of household income. Household age, gender of household, total farm size, membership in cooperative organization, marital status, the use of improved varieties and participation in social leadership were the determinants that significantly influence the adoption of alternative livelihood strategies. The LVI in the southern region was (0.31) with a very critical social network component (0.48). This implied that farm households in southern Benin were less vulnerable but vulnerable with respect to the social network component. Due to the fact that farm households in southern Benin mainly derived their income sources from farming activities, and were also vulnerable with respect to the social network component. The study recommends that livelihood interventions protection and promotion should be considered by all actors; national and international government, NGOs and local institutions.