Economic Impact of Climate Change on Maize Productivity: Cross Sectional Data

Abstract

This study investigates the economic impact of climate change on Maize production in Decha woreda of south west Kafa zone, located at 23 Km from Bonga Town, and 473 km south west of Addis Ababa. The general objective of the study is to assess the economic impacts of climate change on Maize productivity in Decha and make recommendations for strategies that could be adopted to mitigate the economic impact of climate change. The data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, percentage, pie chart, bar graph, t-test and chi-square were used. The Results of the study indicate that climate change has an adverse impact on maize production in Decha woreda. According to the regression results, increase in temperature between March and May and increase in precipitation between June and August will have a negative impact. Increase in precipitation between March and May will have a positive impact on Maize productivity in Decha.  Overall, the study found that temperatures have a larger effect on Maize productivity compared to precipitation. Predictions from nine out of the ten climate change scenarios used in the study indicate that Maize output will decrease by up to 23% by year 2019. In line with the results, the study recommends that urgent measures be undertaken to mitigate the impact of climate change on Maize production. These measures include: research and development of agricultural technologies, investment in irrigation infrastructure and dissemination of information to farmers on climate change and possible impacts.

Keywords: Maize, Wheat, Climate, and soil

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-13-01

Publication date:July 31^st 2020