Analyzing Household Vulnerability to Climate Change and Adaptation Options: Evidence from Adama and Lume Woredas, Ethiopia.
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Date
2010-06
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A.A.U
Abstract
The study assesses the extent of household vulnerability to climate change by applying
Vulnerability as Expected Poverty (fIEP) approach. The VEP approach is based on estimating
the probability that a given shock or set of shocks moves household consumption below poverty
line or force them to stay there if they are already below poverty line. The data is collected from
rural farming households in Adama and Lume Woredas of East Shewa zone during 2009
production season. The result shows that about 68 percent of farmers are vulnerable to poverty,
while 62 percent of them are observed to be poor. A bout 52 percent of the households are
vulnerable to poverty due to low consumption prospect and 16 percent of them are vulnerable
due to high consumption volatility. The study also indicates that change of rainfall and
temperature from long run averages, frequency of drought and soil characteristics are major
reasons for farmers' vulnerability to poverty. On the other hand, education of head, livestock and
land size, irrigation size, quantity of fertilizer used and number of extension contacts are found to
reduce household vulnerability to climate change. Proximity to facilities such as road and market
also reduces farmers' vulnerability. But, higher family size and exposure to non climatic shocks
such as death of household head and input price rise increase vulnerability. On top of that, the
estimated incidence of poverty is less than the fraction of population that is vulnerable to poverty.
This calls for differential intervention for poverty reduction and poverty prevention, in addition
to consumption stabilization and increasing measures. On the other hand expansion of extension
services, irrigation practices, non farm income opportunities, improving farmers' access to
fertilizer use and increasing household capacity to cope or mitigate shocks and risks are
important intervention areas to reduce vulnerability.
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Keywords
Vulnerability, climate change, vulnerability as Expected Poverty