Geography and Environmental Studies

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Browsing Geography and Environmental Studies by Subject "Adaptation, Coping Mechanism"

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    Assessment of Local Level Agricultural Adaptation Practices to Climate Change by Smallholder Farmers in Soddo District, Southern Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2016-06) Lencha, Tsegaw; Bewuket, Woldeamlak (PhD)
    Climate has obvious and direct effects on agricultural production. Agricultural sector in Sub- Saharan African is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Climate change is a key concern to Ethiopia since agriculture sector of the country is the most affected sector by climate change. Thus identifying different adaptation options to climatic variation is crucial in designing appropriate coping strategies. This research was conducted with the objective analyzing local level coping and adaptation strategies in the agriculture sector in responses to climate extremes impacts on agricultural production by smallholder farmers in Soddo district of SNNPR. The study employed household survey, FGD and KI interview for data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS software. The result show that farmers are struggling with the effects of climate change and variability (98%) and attempting to adapt to its impact (66%) indicated. Smallholder farmers in the study area experienced various effects of climate change and related hazards. Climate change contributed to increased incidence and expansion of crop pests (locusts), reduced crop yield, short length of growing period, change in production season, reduce livestock weight, deterioration of cattle health and death, water scarcity, and shortage of grazing land and feed as major effects in crop and livestock production. Flood and drought were the two commonly experienced climate related hazards in the area during the past 10-20 years. Also unseasonal rainfall, snow rain, livestock and human disease, and pest infestation are experienced by households. Natural resource management is the primary adaption strategy practiced at community level. At household level range of adaptation strategies that are mainly farm-level adaptation composed production adjustment as well as land/soil and water use practices are implemented. Measures like reducing amount of food; reducing specific type of food; cash borrowing; support from relatives/neighbors and support from government are the coping mechanisms to the different climate hazards. Grain reserve and borrowing is locally devised coping mechanism that the community practices. Therefore, it is recommended that application of proper rangeland management and effective water use systems, promote and strengthen existing improved farming practices and introduce new technologies, use of reliable climate information to make crop and livestock production decisions, reducing use of synthetic fertilizers and pursuing increased use of organic soil fertilizers, and policy-practice coherence are worth considering in enhancing climate change adaptation and ensuring food security in the area. Keywords: Climate Change, Adaptation, Coping Mechanism, Hazard