Adaptation to Climate Variability and Changes in the Small Farming Households, Dire Dawa Administration
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess perception of smallholder farmers‟ on climate change/variability and its impact, and to identify the determinant of farmers‟ choice of adaptation. The study was conducted in two rural kebeles of DDA. Both primary and secondary data sources were used and analyzed by using both qualitative and quantitative (descriptive statistics and MNL model) methods of data analysis. The result obtained from meteorological data of three decades and respondents perception on local climate change is almost indicates an increase in temperature and variability in rain fall. Local people also perceived the hazards induced by climate change and variability such as drought, extreme heat, livestock disease and flood as the major climatic hazards affecting their livelihood. Changing planting date, implementing soil and water conservation techniques, shifting from cattle to goats and sheep, income source diversification and growing drought tolerant crops are the major adaptation options employed by the farmers. The result of MNL analysis identified that sex, education level, availability active labour size in the household, off-farm income, frequency of extension contact, access to credit, distance to market, access to climatic information, farm size, farming experience and access to irrigation are the major determinants of farmer‟s use of adaptation. Farmers also identifies lack of money, lack of information, shortage of land, poor potential for irrigation, lack of market access, lack of credit access, lack of agricultural inputs and lack of extension service as most important barriers to adaptation. Finally, some of the recommendation in the study includes empowerment of women and the strategic use of incentives in adapting and innovating appropriate technologies. Key words: Adaptation, Climate change/variability, Perception
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Keywords
Adaptation, Climate Change Variability, Perception