Abstract: Based on Pingtang county in Guizhou province and survey data of 301 peasant households of Dali city in Yunnan province,with the aid of sustainable livelihood framework theory, build the model of farmers livelihood strategies and their influence factors were studied,the results showed that the ethnic minority areas for local farmers livelihood strategy types are mainly diversified agriculture,local workers in business type,on development, employment and development conservative. The housing area of farmers, the number of family labor force, the overall education level of families, the age level and the number of road traffic are the key factors affecting the adjustment of farmers' livelihood strategy in ethnic minority areas. Except for the age level, the other four influencing factors are all positive driving factors for promoting the livelihood transformation of local diversified agricultural farmers. Therefore, increasing the investment in rural education and increase the audience of professional skills training. Local governments should improve infrastructure construction and increase industrial investment; developing tourism in minority areas and promote the deep integration of rural areas and the tertiary industry vigorously.

Key words: livelihood capital, livelihood strategy, ethnic minority areas