A Quest for Livelihood Sustainability? Patterns, Motives and Determinants of Non-Farm Income Diversification among Agricultural Households in Punjab, Pakistan

Many farmers worldwide resort to choosing various income-earning options for diversifying their income sources as a means of risk-avoidance, social protection, and, above all, finance agricultural operations. Non-farm generation among farm families has become an imperative part livelihood earning strategies in recent years amid fast-evolving climatic and sociodemographic changes. In this regard, study seeks identify the patterns socioeconomic factors responsible uptake non-farm diversification households southern Punjab, Pakistan. For purpose, total 290 were sampled using random sampling technique collect relevant data through structured questionnaires. Results show that approximately 79% surveyed involved activities, whereas, from these accounts about 15% household income. The majority respondents offered labour off-farm work followed by self-employment ventures. major reason pursue includes low agriculture, mitigating risks associated with farming, acquiring funds farming operations, along desire increase family A range infrastructure-related variables are decision participate specific activity, such age, education, size, income, dependency burden, experience, distance main city. imply provision technical support operations ensure food security curb rural-urban migration. However, vocational training can enhance rural inhabitants’ skillset diversify on agribusiness development within areas, enabling them employ local people instead populating urban centres.