Climate Change impact on Food Security and Farmers Coping Mechanisms: in Ginir Woreda, Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
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Date
2014-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study examined climate change impact on food security and farmers coping mechanisms in Ginir woreda, Bale zone, Oromia Region. The study aimed at assessing the climate change condition and its impact on framers food security. It assessed perception of local people on climate change, impact of climate change on food security, and farmers coping mechanisms and adaptation strategies. The study utilized semi-structured questioner, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and discussion with government officials in collecting primary data and secondary data collected from published and unpublished sources, and qualitative and quantitative studies were employed in data analysis. The study results showed that temperature and rainfall have shown change trend. As the analyzed 31 years (1982-2012) meteorological data indicated, in the area, rainfall was declining with 3.72 mm while maximum and minimum temperatures were increasing by 0.043°C and0.001°C respectively. Farmers and government officials in the area also agreed with the meteorological data result. All FGDs and 98% of the interviewed farmers recognized as climate change already occurred in the area. About 95% and 100% of the interviewed farmers respectively thought that temperature and rainfall were changing in the area comparing with that of 10-20 years ago. The study showed that climate change affect food security condition of the area through affecting crop production and livestock rearing. 100%, 50% and 20% of the respondents respectively reported that climate change resulted in declined in food production, increased in food item prices and decreased in food item availability in a market. In respond to climate change impacts, different coping mechanisms and adaptation strategies have been utilized. 36%, 11% ,5% and other 5% of the respondents respectively reported that they have been using drought resistant crops, early cropping/planting, livestock migration, casual labor and petty trade as their coping mechanisms and other 42% reported as they have been using combination of two or more mechanisms in respond to climate change impacts. Diversify income source, use improved agricultural input, sale livestock, temporarily migrate to other areas for casual labor or in getting assistance and use irrigation were major adaptation strategies employed by farmers. In study, various analyses indicated that the area is severally impacted by climate change and the climate change is negatively affecting the food security of the community. Thus, the study suggests, improving agricultural production and productivity, enhancing irrigation agriculture and promoting establishment of market networking to minimize climate change impact on food security
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Geography and Environmental Studies