Rural Households’ Vulnerability to Climate Variability and Adaptation Strategies In the case of Begemdir District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Vulnerability to climate change has become the greatest challenge in our world due to its adverse impacts on ecosystems, economies, and societies. Thus, these studies assessed rural households’ vulnerability to climate variability and adaptation responses in Guna Begemdir District. Primary data was collected from three kebeles by selecting 120 sample households using the systematic random sampling method. Moreover, farmers’ perceptions, adaptation strategies, and socioeconomic and institutional factors were determined through household surveys, key informant interviews, and secondary data collected through document analysis. Monthly, seasonal, and annual rainfall and temperature data were collected for two metrological stations for the period 1983–2018 to assess climate variability and identify climate-related risks. To assess farmers’ perceptions and adaptation strategies being used by farmers. Finally, a logistic regression model was employed to identify factors that affect farmers’ decisions to adapt and implement given adaptation strategies to tackle the impacts of climate variability. Results from the study showed the presence of significant rainfall variability during Belg months (March–May months) compared to Kiremt months (June–August). The rainfall series for the annual time scale showed mixed trends (increase and decrease). However, the majority of farmers in Guna Begemdir District perceived that the rainfall had been decreasing for the last 36 years. They also perceived an increase in temperature, a delay in rainfall onset during the growing season, rainfall occurrence during harvesting time, an early end to rainfall during the growing season, pest occurrence, and a rainfall shortage. The overall LVI and IPCC-LVI score in this study is 0.49, which implies that the study area is vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability. In response to the perceived climate risks (water shortage, flood risks, and soil erosion), farmers in the study area adopted many types of soil and water conservation strategies. Thus, the study identified gender of household heads, size of active household members, household distance from farmland and market, access to credit, extension support, and agroclimate zone type as significant determinant factors that affect farmers’ adoption of climate change and variability.