Effects of Climate Change and Variability on Rural Livelihoods and the Responses: the Case of Soro Woreda, Hadiya Zone, SNNPR
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess effects of climate change and variability on rural
livelihoods and responses in Soro woreda, Hadiya zone, SNNPR. Thus, the study sought
to examine the pattern of rainfall and temperature in the last three decades, to explore
effects of climate change and variability on rural livelihoods and to assess individuals’
communities and institutions response and identify the group of society most vulnerable
to and impacted by the existing climate related stresses. To achieve the objectives set,
appropriate data was collected from three sample kebeles which were selected through
stratified sampling method based on their agro-ecologic conditions. And 96 household
heads were purposively selected from the three sample kebeles. In addition, three FGD
each composed of 6 individuals from different socio-economic status and age groups
were selected and used as primary sources of information. Key informant interview was
conducted with experts from SWARDO and DAs. The finding of the study reveals that
some elements of climate (temperature and rainfall) show inter annual and seasonal
variability with slightly increasing trend. And the main source of income in the study
area is rain fed agriculture which is being adversely affected by unpredictable and
decreasing rainfall, hailstorms and flooding, high temperature etc. To adapt to the
changing climate of the area, farmers are already practicing long aged coping
mechanisms and adaptation strategies along with some government interventions in
response to the CC and variability. This study also identified women, children and
elderly, the poor ad landless as most vulnerable to the existing CC and variability effects.
Therefore, depending on the finding of the study, the following policy recommendations
are forwarded are: increasing farmers’ awareness on how to use agricultural
technologies & inputs, restoring the degraded environment, facilitating access to credit
services, diversifying source of income, building the capacity of farmers & encouraging
CBA strategies as the main poverty reduction approach.
Key words: Climate change/variability, livelihoods, coping mechanisms, adaptation
strategies.
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Keywords
Climate Change/Variability, livelihoods, Coping Mechanisms, Adaptation Strategies