Analysis of Smallholder Farmers’ Participation in Off-farm Activities: The Case of Tole District, South West Shoa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Poverty in rural areas of Ethiopia has its root, in low productivity, landlessness and erratic weather dominant areas. Small and fragmented farm size coupled with low level of technology, soil degradation and poor infrastructure, have reduced the capacity of small holder farmers to undertake long term investment on the farm. Therefore off-farm activities provide employment right in their own and also supplement agricultural incomes. This study investigated the factors that influence smallholder farmers' participation from off-farm activities among smallholder farmers in Tole District.