Determinants of Livelihood Strategy Choice Among Herder Households: Implications for Poverty Alleviation in Southwestern Iran

Abstract

Understanding the diverse livelihood strategies of herder households, as well as the factors that shape these strategies, is crucial for advancing sustainable development in pastoral area and combating rural poverty. This study aims to assess the livelihood strategies employed by herder households, categorize the diverse types of household livelihood strategies, and elucidate the asset factors that influence households' choices of livelihood strategies. Data were collected from a sample comprising 136 herder households, selected through a random sampling method from 7 villages situated within the traditional pasture territory of southwestern Iran. Using a 2-step cluster analysis based on the share of household income, 2 distinct livelihood strategies were recognized: income originating from farm animal–related products and activities (Cluster 1) and diversified livelihoods strategies (Cluster 2). The findings indicated that a majority of households (58.82%) relied exclusively on livestock-related products and activities for their income. Households possessing greater rangeland and farmland as indicators of natural capital (β = 5.184, P = 0.004) as well as those with more livestock, which serves as physical capital (β = 2.914, P = 0.042), demonstrated a heightened likelihood of adopting livelihood strategies centered on livestock-related products and activities. Conversely, households with higher levels of education indicative of human capital (β = –2.770, P = 0.027) were less inclined to pursue this type of livelihood strategy. The study highlights the prevalence of impoverished households in 2 livelihood strategy clusters, with a notably higher percentage of extremely poor herder households identified in Cluster 1 (27.5%) than Cluster 2 (10.7%). The findings suggest that the government should consider implementing measures to transition nonfarm animal–related products and activities into a sustainable livelihood option. Furthermore, it is recommended that policies supporting diversified livelihood strategies take precedence in efforts to break the cycle of poverty.

Keywords

• herder community
• income diversification
• livelihood assets
• livelihood outcome
• poverty alleviation