The main objective of the study was to determine the impact of WFP (World Food Programme) aid on the livelihoods of communal farmers in Mwenezi District. A sample of 40 farmers was selected from two villages in the ward that is 20 non-beneficiary of WFP aid and 20 beneficiaries of WFP. Data was collected by use of self-structured questionnaires and analyzed in SPSS. Analytical tools such as gross margin analysis and t-test were employed and data was presented in the form of tables, pie charts and graphs. The study revealed that the main livelihood of communal farmers is crop production complemented by livestock production. The gross margin analysis for crop and livestock production showed that WFP beneficiaries had lower incomes as compared to non-beneficiaries as they are being deprived from the basic necessities for farming which tend to compromise their yields. Though the incomes and yields of farmers were lower as compared to those from non-beneficiary, from their perceptions it is revealed that there is an increase in their crop yields and incomes than before they became beneficiaries of WFP. This means that WFP has a positive impact on the livelihoods of communal farmers though there is a slight decrease in livestock production. It is recommended that farmers should intensify small grain and livestock production to boost their incomes. They should grow drought tolerant crops using new farming technologies such as conservation methods since draught power and farming implements is a problem. As droughts are frequent to natural region 4 and 5, Mwenezi district in particular, therefore the government should commission aid programmes that invest in irrigation schemes to increase crop production thus farmer’s incomes. WFP and other agencies should continue to support the vulnerable member of Mwenezi district with food aid until their capacity to produce their own food and incomes is resuscitated.

Keywords: aid, livelihoods, crop production, agricultural income, communal farmers