Gender Difference, Livelihood Strategies and Food Security Status of Smallholder Coffee Producers in Mana District, Jimma, Ethiopia

Abstract

In developing countries the main livelihood is based on agriculture and it is characterized by backward technologies and limited resources to attain food security by smallholder farmers. The aim of this research is, therefore, to assess gender gap, extent of livelihood diversification and its impact on household food security among smallholder coffee producers at Jimma Zone Ethiopia. Multistage sampling procedures were employed to select 355 sample respondents. Primary data were collected from three purposively selected kebeles using interview scheduled, key informant interview, and focus group discussion. Both descriptive and inferential data analysis methods, Household calorie acquisition, Harvard gender analytical framework, Simpson livelihood diversification index and Endogenous switching regression model were applied to for data analysis. The results of the study indicated that 45% of sample household diversify their livelihoods and 55% did not. About 43.8% and 56.1 % of sample households are food –secured and food-in secured respectively. The study result indicates clearing and preparation of the land, digging of the hole, refilling of the soil, plantation of the shade, seedling transportation and planting, mulching, hoeing and pruning were mainly done by male, whereas; harvesting, drying and storage of coffee were predominantly done by female. Binary logit result showed that sex, education level , livestock holding, household size, total annual income, cooperative membership and land size were significantly affected livelihood diversification of smallholder coffee producers at 1%, 5% and 10% probability level. Moreover, the result of endogenous switching regression analysis model showed that household involvement on livelihood diversification had positive and significant impact on household calorie intake. Diversifications into non-arm and off- far activities play essential role smallholder coffee producers which are holding of less than 1 hectare of land and rain-fed dependent agriculture. Households who diversified their livelihood activities are the ones who able to build better asset and less vulnerable than the undiversified ones and they are ensured their food security. Thus; it recommended that government has to give consideration to support the livelihood diversification effort through making suitable environment for farmers especially for women.