Agricultural livelihood types and type-specific drivers of production diversification: an evidence from Karauzyak, Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan

Abstract

In presence of climatic variability and risks involved in agricultural production for rural people in Aral Sea region, current research extends the sustainable livelihoods framework to investigate the factors that discriminate agricultural livelihoods at village level and determine type-specific factors of households’ production and livelihood diversifications, compared to the treatment of all household as a group. This study aimed to (i) reveal drivers of decisions in households that guide crop diversification, and (ii) inform stakeholders on a set of leverage points and processes needed for improving natural resources and livelihood resilience. Consequently, in two rural villages of Karauzyak district, this study differentiated three types of agricultural livelihood types that are significantly distinct between each other. Overall, when total sampled population analyzed, results indicated that agricultural experience of household head, households with educated members, share of cattle, share of on farm income, landholding per household member and distance to food markets are drivers that influence household’s decision to diversify crop production. Whereas different set of variables or non were significant in livelihood types.