EYERUSALEM KIDANEMARIAM2026-02-022023-11https://etd.hu.edu.et/handle/123456789/448The purpose of this study was identifying determinants income diversification of rural households in Kembata Tembaro Zone, SNNPRS. The study employed descriptive research design with mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected by identifying 397 sample respondents through multistage stratified sampling mechanisms. In qualitative analysis 12 key informants were purposively selected. During data analysis both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed by using statistical tool named as STATA 16 version. The results of the study revealed that majority of rural households in the study area lead their life by on farm activities of either crop farming, animal husbandry or mixed agriculture. Relatively rural households in the study area earn better mean income from on-farm activities compared to off farm and non-farm activities. Supplementing household income and insufficient agricultural production were primary motive for few rural households to engage in off farm and non-farm activities in the study area. Based on the findings 68.5 % of the respondents have alternative sources of the income and the remaining 30.5% of the respondents merely depends on single income source. Regarding with the major determinants of income diversification, marital status, education status the household head, household income, participation of training on income diversification and infrastructure access were the major determinants of income diversification among rural households in the study area. The study recommends a strengthening adult literacy program, provision of credit access, providing trainings, improving rural infrastructure etc to enable rural household to engage in different activities and enhance income of the rural household in the study area.IncomeIncome diversificationParticipationOn- farmOff-farmThesis