Multidimensional Livelihoods Security Analysis in Rural Areas of Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Previous studies narrowly analysed food and nutritional securities. We argue
such studies contributed limited information for policymakers and
development planners. This paper aims to analyse the multidimensional
livelihood security of rural households in Ethiopia. The livelihood security
model guided it. November 2019 and January 2020 were our fieldwork.
Cross-sectional, descriptive, and explanatory were our designs. Multiple
stage sampling techniques were employed. A survey questionnaire was used
to collect primary data. Multidimensional livelihood security index, multiple
correspondence analysis, OLS, and logit models were employed to analyse
the data. Key findings show while four livelihood securities were found
under low/serious, environmental security was found under middle/fragile
and food security under high/well-protected categories. Composite
multidimensional livelihood security of samples was found at low/fragile
equilibrium. Inter-household inequality in terms of the seven
multidimensional livelihood security indices was found. OLS results show
literacy, dependency ratio, and landholding has negatively and significantly
affected rural heads' multidimensional livelihood security. Logit model
identified agro-ecology/farming system, livestock holding, and credit service
having a significant effect. Both models suggest a member of cooperative
significantly (at 1% significance level) impacted households’
multidimensional livelihood security. Theoretically, the study implies narrow
considerations (household-level food and nutritional security studies alone)
couldn’t comprehensively understand their multidimensional issues. Hence,
effective rural development policies and strategies aiming to ensure
household-level well protected multidimensional livelihood security need to
base on such study than mere considerations of food and nutritional securities
alone. The former has the long-term benefit of household-level sustainable
development in general and poverty reduction in particular.