Apple Fruit Production as Climate Change Adaptation Option a Case Study in Sululta
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Date
2020-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The agricultural production of Ethiopia is challenged by the current changing climate. This
research aims to assess and examine the contribution of farmer's apple fruit production as an
option for climate change adaptation and diversification of household income. Data were
collected from sampled individual apple producers, non - apple producer farmers, from focus
group discussions and secondary data were thoroughly looked and analyzed. Data obtained
from physical observations were also processed and analyzed. The findings of the processed
data indicated that apple production in the sululta area had a wider contribution in
strengthening the adaptation capacity of the urban and rural poor community against the
current climate change effects happing in the area. The growth of apple trees provides
additional income to the household beyond fresh and organic apple fruit supply to improve
household nutrition. Apple tree largely contributing to conserving the soil and gives
tremendous nutritional benefits to the urban dwellers and rural communities beyond its
contribution to moderate the microenvironment. Even though tree growing in the area have
shown tremendous benefits and contribution, however, apple promotion is not supported by
new research findings and technical expertise. Apple production needs technical
backstopping and well-organized extension services for encouraging tree growth and good
production for a household. Studies confirmed that collaboration efforts bring remarkable
change at the community level through resource contribution and knowledge sharing. From
the analysis of the study result, we can conclude that both the government, private companies
and industries working in the area jointly with the grass-root communities need to give due
consideration and attention to the promotion of apple production to bring paradigm shift from
less productive crop production to diversified fruit production in the area. A deeper
understanding of the interdependence between changing climatic conditions and apple
production together with adaptation options are very crucial
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Keywords
Agricultural transformation, Apple tree, Climate change, Climate change effects adaptation, Income diversification.