Assessment of Local Climate Change Adaptation Options in Agriculture: A Case of Kutaber Woreda, South Wollo Zone
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Date
2020-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Adaptation is considered an appropriate response to climate change, especially for
farmers. This study was conducted in South Wollo Zone, Kutaber Woreda on
assessment of local climate change adaptation options in agriculture. The 22 Kebeles
of Kutaber were stratified into the three agro-climatic zones and one Kebele was
selected randomly from each agro-climatic zone. Sample households were selected with
proportionate random sample technique from each Kebele. Household survey, key
informant interviews and focus group discussion were employed to collect quantitative
and qualitative data. Grid climate data of the three kebele was obtained from the
National Meteorological Agency. The perception of households and adaptation
strategies were analyzed using descriptive statistics, percentages and farmers
perception was triangulated from recorded meteorological data using Mann Kendall’s
trend test while the determinants of farmer’s choice of adaptation was analyzed using
binary logistic regression. The analysis of farmers’ perceptions of climate change
indicates that most of the farmers (83% and 89%) are aware that temperature is
increasing and the level of precipitation is declining respectively. Mann Kendall’s test
result revealed that annual minimum temperatures have been significantly increasing
for Alansha only on December while the annual maximum temperature have been
significantly increasing for Alansha on February, March, April and September, for
Drie on February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December
and for Kundi on February, March and April. The total annual rainfall distribution has
been significantly decreasing on January, June, August and December for Alansha, on
July and August for Drie and on July and November for Kundi. The household’s use
adaptation strategies include soil and water conservation practice, changing crop
sowing date, use of improved crop variety, practicing irrigation and forestry practices.
The major factors determining farmer’s decision to adapt or not include farm holding
size and sex of farmers house hold head with significant value of 0.018 and 0.008
respectively. The research recommended the need to enhance women’s empowerment,
promote water harvesting technologies and irrigation, use advanced technologies and
agricultural inputs like organic fertilizers and improved crop varieties on smallholders’
farm land intensive management are crucial
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Keywords
Adaptation, Binary Logistic Regression Model, Climate Change, Perception.