Determinants of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Smallholder Farmers in Haramaya District, Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

In Ethiopia, particularly in the Haramaya District, livelihoods are heavily dependent on subsistence rain-fed farming, making communities highly vulnerable to climate change. Enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers, therefore, depends on successful adaptation to changing climatic conditions. This study examines the adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers in Haramaya District, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia, which is severely affected by climate change, using both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through household surveys of 189 randomly selected smallholder farmers, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), while secondary data were obtained from previous studies and official reports. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multinomial probit model. The findings of the study revealed that smallholder farmers in the study area adopted various climate change adaptation strategies, with changing livestock type being the most common (22.75%) and altering the planting period being the least common (16.40%). Other strategies included soil and water conservation (22.22%), income source diversification (20.63%), and cultivating drought-tolerant crops (17.99%). Furthermore, the multinomial probit model results showed that age, access to climate information, livestock holdings, irrigation access, education level, extension visits, active labor size, and access to credit significantly influenced farmers’ adaptation choices in response to climate change. The findings underscore the importance of strengthening institutional and policy support for smallholder farmers. Additionally, concerned government bodies and development partners should prioritize improving access to credit, enhancing climate change awareness, expanding extension services, promoting education, and investing in long-term climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives to build farmers’ adaptive capacities and ensure sustainable livelihoods.

Keywords: Adaptation strategies, Climate change, Haramaya district, Multinomial probit model, Smallholder farmers

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/17-2-01

Publication date: February 28^th 2026