Rural livelihood diversity in developing countries: evidence and policy implications | Land Portal

Resource information

Date of publication: 
January 1999
Resource Language: 
ISBN / Resource ID: 
eldis:A27658

Examines livelihood diversification as a survival strategy of rural households in developing countries. Although still of central importance, farming on its own is increasingly unable to provide a sufficient means of survival in rural areas. The paper’s objectives are first, to increase awareness of livelihood diversification in approaches to rural development; second, to consider the interactions among diversification and poverty, farm productivity, natural resource management and gender relations in rural areas; and third, to advance the policy understanding of diverse rural livelihoods.
Policy conclusions:

Reform in the sense of good governance is unfinished business in rural areas; in most low income countries an enabling andfacilitating environment for the spread of diverse non-farm income-generating activities can hardly be said to exist.
Human capital is widely substantiated as a key to successful livelihood diversification; the delivery and quality of rural education and skills acquisition requires continuing emphasis.
Infrastructure (roads, power, communications) has a powerful effect on mobility and choice, it continues to merit priority.
The current emphasis on micro-credit is not misplaced, despite growing recognition of certain weaknesses to which it is prone;continued innovation and improvement of rural micro-credit schemes in poor countries helps to promote diversity.
Enhancing the asset status of rural women merits special attention; including their human capital, independent ownership rights over land and other resources and participation in social processes.

[author]

Authors and Publishers

Author(s), editor(s), contributor(s): 

F. Ellis

Publisher(s): 

ODI Natural Resource Perspectives present accessible information on current development issues and are sent to a wide audience of policy makers, researchers and people working in the non-governmental sector. The series ran from 1994 to 2008.


John Farrington, Editor of the NRP series, writes "Unfortunately, Sida support to the series has come to an end, and though they are happy with the series, their funding priorities have changed and enquiries have established that the series can no longer be included in their portfolio.

Data provider

eldis (ELDIS)

Eldis is an online information service providing free access to relevant, up-to-date and diverse research on international development issues. The database includes over 40,000 summaries and provides free links to full-text research and policy documents from over 8,000 publishers. Each document is selected by members of our editorial team.


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