Smallholder farmers’ perception of climate change and adaptation strategy choices in Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Purpose Smallholder farmers have always been profoundly the first to be impacted by climate change, and therefore, farmers understanding of climate change and accessibility to alternative adaptation strategies are crucial for reducing the effect of climate change. The purpose of this study is to assess the perception of farmers to climate change, adaptation strategies and determinants of adaptation choice in central Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach The study used data from randomly selected 240 farm households. Descriptive statistics were used to describe farmers’ perceptions of climate change and adaptation strategies. Also, a multivariate probit model was used to identify the major factors affecting farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies to climate change in central Ethiopia. Findings Smallholder farmers perceive climate change in the past two decades in response; the majority (91.47%) of farmers used adaptation options. Improved crop varieties and input intensity, crop diversification, planting date adjustment, soil and water conservation activities and changing of the crop type were used as adaptation options in the study area. A few of these strategies were significantly confirmed a complementary and supplementary relationship. The study identified sex, family size, agroecology, climate information, crop-fail history and formal extension service as significant determinants for farmers’ adaptation choices as these variables significantly affected more than two farmers’ adaptation strategies simultaneously. Research limitations/implications Farmers’ choice of adaptation was highly constrained by institutional factors and all these identified factors can be possibly addressed through a better institutional service provision system. It is, therefore, recommended that local administrators should explore the institutional service provision system for a better farm-level adaptation while considering demographic characteristics as well. Originality/value This study identified factors affecting farmers’ several adaptation strategies at a time and provides information for the policymaker to make cost-effective interventions for better farm-level adaptation practices.

Smallholder farmers' perception of climate change and choice of adaptation strategies in East Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia

“…Because farmers’ perception of climate change plays a key role, inappropriate adaptation and agricultural practices decision-making in their perceptions should necessarily be linked with meteorological data trends for effective adaptation in the agricultural sector (Mubiru et al , 2015; Nyasimi et al , 2013). Although some studies (Tesfaye and Seifu, 2016; Asrat and Simane, 2018; Addis and Abirdew, 2021) examined farmers’ perception of climate change in some places of the country, there is a paucity of empirical work in linking farmers' perception with meteorological data trends. Hence, the available evidence is not clear whether farmers perceived climate change properly, particularly in eastern Ethiopia.…”

Shrimp Farmer’s Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies to the Threat of Climate Change in Bangil District, East Java

“…Knowledge of shrimp farmers about climate change and its risks is very important and has the potential to be a factor in making decisions, as well as plans for agricultural and fisheries development (Mahmood et al, 2020;Mekonnen et al, 2021;Ogunpaimo et al, 2021;Atube et al, 2021;Zhu et al, 2021). Considering the perceptions of farmer households in designing adaptation policies, will produce a useful adaptation response and potentially minimize the risk of climate change in a sustainable manner (Ali et al, 2021;Addis and Abirdew, 2021;Nkuba et al, 2021). This study has designed the questions presented in the questionnaire and asked during the interview process (see points in Table 4).…”

Analysis of Climate Variability and Trends for Climate-Resilient Maize Farming System in Major Agroecology Zones of Ethiopia

“…PCI values were categorized as uniform (<10), moderate (11)(12)(13)(14)(15), irregular (16)(17)(18)(19)(20), and strongly irregular (>20) in monthly rainfall distributions [25].…”

“…Terefore, we choose rainfall and temperature as the major climate variables for this study since they have serious implications for maize vegetative growth and yield [11]. Indeed, some studies [12][13][14][15][16][17] and [18] have assessed climate trends and variability at diferent spatial and temporal scales. However, full comprehensive studies of climate variability, trend, onset date, cessation date, length of growing season have been limited at both the spatial and temporal scales levels in our study area.…”