Determinants of Adaptation to dry Spell in the Context of Agrarian Economy: Insights from Wollo Area (Kobo district), Ethiopia.

Abstract

Climate change cannot be totally avoided. Hence, adjustment in ecological, social, or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects or impacts is paramount importance. This is a function of processes, practices, or structures to moderate or offset potential damages     or to take advantage of opportunities associated with changes in climate. In this vein, the study endeavors to investigate the determinant factors of adaptive practices to dry spell in the agrarian society of wollo area (Kobo district), Ethiopia. It involves unpacking adjustments to reduce the vulnerability of communities, regions, or activities to climatic change and variability. In doing so, a survey of about 363 farmers has been conducted considering the issues of factors affecting adaptation to climate change in the study area.   The study divulges that the external interventions that are currently introduced into the study Kebeles are SWC measures (check dams, artificial waterway and geomembrane) and artificial fertilizers are among the fertility enhancing measures. These measures are found to be incompatible to the farming system, labor intensive and high external input dependent. Concerning, the artificial fertilizers high price, lack of credit service and untimely supply are found to be the major constraints. In response to this, the complimentarity of both groups [local and ‘conventional’] measures should be assessed. And then, by taking a lesson from this, the measures can be purposefully complimented for a better end.

From the study it has also been unpacked that the adaptive capacity of farmers is    challenged by several factors. To be more specific, land holding size, land fragmentation, plot characteristics, land ownership security, size of livestock, labor availability and production assets availability are predominant factors affecting farmers’ adaptive capacity.

Finally, the way forward of the study is that Indigenous ecological knowledge of farmers in the study area should be assessed through further studies. Besides, their complimentarity to the external interventions should be disclosed in order to exploit the opportunities provided and renovating the local adaptive mechanisms.

Key   Terms:  Adaptation, Agrarian economy, factors of adaptation, Wollo area