Livelihood diversification strategies and its impact on pastoral food security in Dubluk district, Borana zone, Southern Ethiopia

Livelihood diversification has emerged as a crucial strategy for enhancing food security among pastoral households in the Dubluk district. Despite its significance, limited research has explored the determinants of livelihood strategies adopted by these households. The objectives of this study were to identify livelihood diversification strategies, factor affecting livelihood diversification and its implication on pastoral food security. The study was conducted from February 12 to July 12, 2024. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select study sites and 381 household respondents. Data were collected through a combination of key informant interviews and household surveys. Descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as binary logistic regression analysis, were conducted using SPSS version 24 to examine the determinants of livelihood diversification and its impact on food security. The findings indicate that 62 % of households relied exclusively on livestock husbandry, while only 38 % pursued diversified livelihood strategies such as crop cultivation and livestock rearing. Binary logistic regression analysis identified key predictors of livelihood diversification, with gender, access to training, cooperative, and access to infrastructure positively influencing diversification. Conversely, access to credit, livestock insurance, and household Tropical Livestock Unit holdings negatively affected diversification. Chi-square tests revealed significant associations (p < .05) between food security and several socioeconomic variables, including sex, access to credit, agricultural inputs, cooperative, and livestock insurance. However, access to infrastructure did not show a significant relationship with food security. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation (rs = .776) between livelihood diversification and food security. The study concluded that increased livelihood diversification significantly enhances food security in the area. Therefore, we recommend that extension workers, local governments, NGOs, and policymakers should prioritize promoting livelihood diversification to improve pastoralist food security. • Livestock rearing remains the dominant livelihood strategy for households. • Gender, training, and cooperatives support diversification efforts. • Credit and livestock insurance reduce likelihood of diversification. • Diversifying livelihoods improves household food security outcomes.