Household strategies and rural livelihood diversification

This article reviews the recent literature on diversification as a liveliho od strategy of rural households in developing countries, with particular re ference to sub-Saharan Africa. Livelihood diversification is defined as the process by which rural families construct a diverse portfolio of activitie s and social support capabilities in order to survive and to improve their standards of living. The determinants and effects of diversification in the areas of poverty income distribution, farm output and gender ar-e examined . Some policy inferences are summarised. The conclusion is reached that rem oval of constraints to, and expansion of opportunities for diversification are desirable policy objectives because they give individuals and household s more capabilities to improve livelihood security and to raise living stan dards.