EVALUATION OF LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGIES AS A PANACEA TO POVERTY REDUCTION AMONG RURAL FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study examines the evaluation of livelihood diversification strategies as a means to alleviate poverty among farming households in Adamawa State. It explores the nature and extent of livelihood diversification activities among rural farming households usingdiversification indexand Simpsons Index of Diversity (SID), assesses poverty indices using the Foster-GreerThorbecke (FGT) measures, and tests the relationship between livelihood activities and poverty status using Pearson’s correlation. Data was collected from 270 rural farming households.Findings reveal that agriculture remains the primary income source for rural households, but diversification across both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors is crucial for income stability. Despite challenges such as the removal of fuel subsidies, diversification helps mitigate income fluctuations and reduce poverty incidence. The poverty indices indicate a significant proportion of farming households are poor, with factors like large household sizes and economic challenges exacerbating severe poverty. Moreover, the study finds a positive correlation between livelihood diversification and reduced poverty likelihood. These results underscore the importance of promoting diversified livelihood strategies to enhance household resilience and alleviate poverty in rural areas.Based on the study findings, policymakers and development practitioners should prioritize interventions that support and enhance livelihood diversification among rural farming households in Adamawa State. Furthermore, there is a need for continued research and monitoring of poverty trends to assess the effectiveness of interventions. Long-term strategies should be developed to promote sustainable livelihoods and reduce dependency on agriculture.