Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Security Nexus: Practices, Adoption Strategies and Technologies in Hidhabu Abote Woreda, Oromia Region, Central Ethiopia
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study was undertaken in 3 randomly selected rural kebeles in Hidabo Abote Woreda of
North Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State. The study aimed at assessing the contribution of
climate smart agricultural practices for crop productivity, food security, livelihoods
enhancement and adaptation to climate change. Retrospective-cross-sectional study design was
employed and questionnaire-based primary data was collected from 200 randomly selected
sample households. In addition, key informant interview and direct observation were employed
to generate qualitative data. In fact, secondary data was obtained from various related
organizations such as NMA, CSA and the Woreda Agricultural Office. Latest version of SPSS
software was used to explore key descriptive and inferential statistics. Household Food Balance
Model (HFBM) and Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) were used to investigate
the availability, consumption and access components of household food security status. The
sustainability component was addressed by analyzing the trends and current circumstances of
rainfall and temperature in the area. Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) and Coefficient of
Variation (CV) were used to look into the level of concentration of rainfall to certain months of a
year and variations in rainfall among series of years (1983-2016). It is found that the rainfall is
highly concentrated, the variation among years is noticeable and temperature is slightly
increasing in the area. The farmers have already started mulching, inter-cropping, agroforestry, crop rotation, improved seed application and water harvesting to cope with the adverse
impacts of climate change. It is also found that most farmers perceive the existence of climate
change in the area as a result of which they are trying to design their own adaptation
mechanisms. Among other variables, age of the household head, income status, asset position,
farmland size, access to extension services, experience in agriculture, distance, fertilizer
application, family size, and crop- diversification are found to be important determinant factors
for CSA practices in the area. In order to harness the best out of CSA practices as a means to
adapt to the changing climatic conditions in the area, compressive planning, well thought-out
and genuine strategies, adequate understanding of the implementation practices, efficient and
effective utilization of natural resources and competent expertise/leadership are recommended to
be vital.
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Keywords
Climate-Smart Agriculture, Adoption, Climate Change, Food Security