Livelihood Diversification and Food Security of Smallholder Farmers in Central Tongu District of Ghana

Abstract

The study examined the livelihood diversification and food security of smallholder farmers in Central Tongu district of Ghana. Cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used to collect data from 270 smallholder farmers in Central Tongu District using multi-stage sampling technique. Data gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Tobit regression model and Simpson‟s index of diversification. Findings from the study disclosed that mean age of smallholder farmers was about 44 years old, with majority (65%) being males. Mean years of farming was about 22 years and mean household size was 5 people. Smallholder farmers who cultivated cassava as their main farm activity was 37%, those who cultivated maize as subsidiary farm activity was 15.8% and those who were engaged in trading as their subsidiary nonfarm activity was 31.8%. The level of livelihood diversification among smallholder farmers was 0.72 which indicated that they were moderately high in their livelihood diversification. Critical factors which positively and significantly influenced livelihood diversification included land size, access to land, access to water and membership of FBO. Few of smallholder farmers (2.2%) attained high food security and majority of smallholder farmers (85.9%) attained moderate food security. However, 10.4% of smallholder farmers attained low food security and 1.5% of smallholder farmers attained very low food security. It is recommended that government and other partners should encourage aged farmers to diversify their livelihood activities. Also, governmental policies and programs should focus on promoting economic development, social protection, innovation and entrepreneurship, access to water and land among smallholder farmers in Central Tongu District