Farmer’s adoption of indigenous knowledge-based off-farm and non-farm livelihoods and its determinants in Takusa Woreda, North-Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Adoption of indigenous knowledge has a significant role in supporting the agricultural production system and diversification of off-farm and nonfarm livelihood activities. However, most studies focused on indigenous farming livelihoods and there is a knowledge gap in the literature and was not studied in the study area. Therefore, this study has assessed determinants of farmers’ adoption of indigenous knowledge-based off-farm and non-farm livelihoods in Takusa woreda, Northwestern Ethiopia. Both quantitative and narrative qualitative data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Data were collected by using Questionnaire, key informants, focus group discussions, and other secondary sources. The study employed multistage sampling techniques. The descriptive results showed that about 17.68, 19.82, and 18.6% have adopted indigenous knowledge-based off-farm, non-farm, and both off-farm and non-farm livelihood activities respectively. Depending on their indigenous knowledge practices, farmers practiced indigenous knowledge-based off-farm and non-farm livelihood activities. Moreover, the logit model result shows that access to extension contact, having more educational level, and near to the market distance are negatively correlated. Also, more dependency ratio, more livestock ownership (TLU), and practicing livelihood diversification strategies are positively correlated. Therefore, determinants of adoption of indigenous knowledge-based off-farm and non-farm livelihoods needs attention by programs for additional livelihoods.

Keywords

• Indigenous knowledge
• adoption
• indigenous knowledge based-off-farm livelihoods
• indigenous knowledge based-non-farm livelihoods
• livelihood diversification
• Takusa Woreda