Determinants of farm household poverty status in South Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional state, Ethiopia

The present study attempts to identify and analyze the determinants of farm household poverty status in South Wollo Zone of Amhara regional state, Ethiopia. Primary data is collected from 516 sampled farm households in four sampled districts by employing multi-stage stratified random sampling technique through conducting structured questionnaire. Results of the probit model reveals that educational status, use of irrigation, livestock holding, involvement in non-farm activities, size of farm land, agro-climate zones and productivity potential of districts show negative effect whereas family size, dependency ratio, religion of the head and average distance to various services have positive association with poverty status of rural households. Hence, promoting education, family planning, expanded diversification, increasing land productivity, irrigation technologies, provision of public goods, improving livestock production and productivity etc. are indispensible policy interventions to better target rural poverty.