Farmers’ Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change and Variability the Case of Kacha Bira Woreda, Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Ethiopia

Abstract

Climate change is global environmental treat to all economic sectors, particularly agricultural sector, geographical location and topography in combination with heavy dependence on reified agriculture result in high vulnerability to adverse impact of climate change and variability. The study was carried in to two villages of Awaye and Burchana of Kacha Birra district, southern Ethiopia. The overall objective of this study was to assess farmers’ perceptions and adaptation strategies to climate change and variability in Kach  Birra woreda, south Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected from household’s interviews through structured questionnaire, key informants interview, focus group discussion and field observation from two dominant agro-ecological zones in the woreda. The data were collected from 130 households who were selected through multi-stage sampling techniques. Distractive statistics is used to assess farmers’ perceptions, and baseline adaptation, where as binary logit model is used to examine the determinants of adaptation strategies to climate change and variability. Results show that over the past 30 years almost all respondents have perceived increase in temperature, decrease in precipitation and more erratic rainfall patterns and this is confirmed by climatic data records. The most common adaptation options include planting new crop varieties, drought resistant crop variety, diversifying crop, changing planting dates, implementing soil and water conservation practices, making adjustments to crop and livestock management, changing fertilizer applications, engaging in off-farm income-generating activities and migration. The result of the binary logit model highlighted age, family size, land size, education and farming experience as main factors that encourage private adaptations and by contrast, female headed household, access to extension significantly discouraging ones. Future policy making processes should pay due attention to incorporate action plans that strengthen the already existing autonomous adaptation strategies used by these communities.

Keywords: awaye, kachebirra vulnerability logit baseline adaptation