Temesgen Tilahun (PhD)Sosena Mellese2024-06-252024-06-252022-08https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/3201Rural livelihood demands a paradigm shift from monotype livelihood to mixed type of livelihood. Livelihood diversification would be one of the focus areas to improve the livelihood and food security status of the rural families. This study analyzed the livelihood diversification impact on rural households’ food security evidence from Adami Tulu Jido Kombolicha woreda, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 360 sample households from one woreda and three kebeles were sampled for the study. They were purposefully selected in consultation with woreda experts basing the food assistance data. The number of sample household determined by probability sampling proportional to size of the respondents and followed by simple random sampling. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics used to analyze the explanatory variables along food security status and livelihood diversification. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was employed to measure the food security status. Ordered logistic regression model was used to analyze determinants of food in/security. Level of livelihood diversification was computed using Simpson Diversity Index (SDI). Correlation of livelihood diversification with food security status and explanatory variables was performed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Coping strategy in response to food shortage was computed using Coping Strategy Index (CSI.) Household Food Insecurity Access Scale result indicated that 46% of the sample households were food insecure ranges from (32% severely, 5% moderately and 9% mildly food insecure). The result of ordered logistic regression model showed that, educational status of household head, access to credit and household expenditure has significant influence on food security status. The result of Simpson Diversity Index indicated that, 14.17%, 46.3%, 39.4% of the sample households were within the level of high, medium and low livelihood diversification respectively. The result of Pearson correlation coefficient revealed that age of household head; education status of the household head, household size, history of crop failure, access to land, use of modern farm input, access to credit and agriculture extensions service has got correlation with livelihood diversification and in addition those variable also statistically significant to the livelihood diversification. Coping strategy index result indicated that 36.2%, 9.4% and 54.4% of households were practicing high, medium and low coping behavior in response to food shortage respectively. From the households with high coping (83.85% and 11.54%) of the sample households were severely and moderately food insecure. Based on the finding of the result, in order to improve the rural households’ livelihood as well as food security status, it is necessary to mark that promotion of education would be vital. The availing credit access to the rural households with low interest and vast coverage would made them to diverse the livelihood base. Overall various livelihood program packages shall be established in the way that to benefit the rural households as well as PSNP beneficiaries.enRural householdsFood securitylivelihood diversification and coping strategyThesis