ABSTRACT
A livelihood can be simply defined as ‘a means of a living’, but its interpretation is different when comparing between the industrialized world and the villages of developing countries. In the West, a household livelihood is typically the product of one or two adults working a set number of hours for an employer and receiving a set wage in return. For rural people in developing countries, a livelihood can be constructed from a range of opportunities, some directly producing food and material goods, others related to a regular wage. Farming may be at the core of a livelihood, but non-agricultural activities can play a part, both on and off the farm. Diversity is a strategy for making a living, enabling people all over the world to cope with challenging and risk-prone environments and social circumstances.
