Livelihood diversification and adoption of green business among household remain one of the solutions to the cost of environmental problems which is predicted to get worse if nothing is done to reduce excessive pressure on environment and ecosystem services. This study was conducted in Omo Biosphere Reserve to evaluate household willingness and decision to diversify their livelihood to green alternative business. Proportional sampling technique was used to select 120 respondents in the study area. Primary data were collected with aid of structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, means and percentages. Logistic regression was used to determine factors influencing the household’s decision to invest in green business. The study revealed that the average age of the respondents was 43 years and more than 90 percent had one form of education or the other. Out of the stated green businesses, about half of the respondents (52%) indicated interest to engage in snail farming with an average start-up capital of ₦75,000 which was followed by grasscutter (30%) with an average start-up capital of ₦85,000. Respondents’ interest in these green businesses was due to their knowledge of the business, marketability of the business output and low capital requirement. Factors influencing their decision include age, marital status, level of education and household size. This study recommends that awareness campaign on green economy and sustainable livelihood should be intensified to ensure mass adoption of green alternative livelihood to reduce pressure on environmental resources.

Green Business, Alternative Livelihoods, Biosphere Reserve, Nigeria