Comparative Analysis of Meteorological Records of Climate Variability and Farmers' Perceptions in Sekota Woreda, Ethiopia

Abstract

Climate change and extremes have been adversely affecting food security particularly in rainfed agricultural production systems. In this study, explanatory research design was applied to examine farmers’ climate variability and extremes perceptions against meteorological data. Multi-stage sampling techniques were employed to select sampled households. The data were collected from seven Kebeles of Sekota District 168 randomly selected sample households. Key informant interview, focus group discussion and National Metrological Agency were also sources of data. Descriptive data analysis methods and simple linear regression, nonparametric Mann–Kendall test, and Sen’s methods were used to examine farmers’ perceptions, trends and variability of rainfall and temperature. The results showed that the majority of farmers perceived the rise of temperature (82%) and reduction of rainfall (87%) in their locality. All categories of responders are also aware of the increment of erratic rainfall onset and cessation for the last two decades. Meteorological analysis demonstrates increases in minimum temperature (0.8 °C), maximum temperature (1.4 °C), and reduction of rainfall (40 mm) per decade. The district also experienced variability in the rainfall distribution during summer (CV = 27.8%) and Spring (CV = 58.1%) for the last three decades. This study concludes that farmers’ perception is consistent with the meteorological data trend and variability analysis. In view of the findings, it is recommended that adequate and regular information should be provided to the community about current and emergent climate variability manifestations relevant for agricultural decisions.