Role of non-farming activities in the sustainability of peasant farming systems: A case in Osku County

This research was carried out with the main objective of investigating the role of non-farming activities on the sustainability of peasant farming systems in Osku County through a descriptive-correlational research method. The population of this study consisted of peasant farmers in Osku County (N =1400), Out of which 300 people were selected as sample using Table of Krejcie and Morgan’s for sample size determination. Proportionate stratified sampling technique was applied to select the samples. The data were analyzed by SPSS win18 software. The main instrument of data collection was a questionnaire which its validity was confirmed by experts. The reliability of the main scales of the instrument was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which was between 0.82 to 0.87. The results of analyzing three dimensions of sustainability stability showed that the total extent of sustainability level of 29.3% of the farming units was "unsustainable ", 41.7% was "semi-sustainable" and 28.9% was "sustainable". The results of regression analysis showed that the variables of the number of employed in the non-farming sector, the use of non-farming income in the agricultural sector and household income out of non-farming activities accounted for 54.2 percent of the variations of sustainability level in the peasant farming systems.