Contribution of Indigenous Knowledge to Climate Change and Adaptation Response in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The role of indigenous knowledge of pastoralists ‘on climate change and adaptation response has been given less emphasis. This study was conducted to explore pastoralist’s perception of climate change, its impacts, copping and adaption response in southern Ethiopia. The data were gathered through a multi-stage sampling process, a total of 211 households in three pastoral and agro-pastoral districts were selected and interviewed use of structured questionnaire, and key informants. A long-term (1986-2014) rainfall and temperature were analyzed use of Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) and Mann-Kendall trend test. The study shows pastoralists’ recognized the changes in climate and described use of many local indicators. Both household and empirical climate records indict a declining in rainfall amount, and an increasing in drought frequency. The changes in climate had led to recurrent drought, feed scarcity, crop failure and low yields leading to food insecurity were among other effects. Pastoralists’ have many adaptation responses to climate change generally involved in adjusting of crop production strategies, grazing and herd management practices, shifting to non-pastoral livelihoods activities and use of social supporting system. The study shows communities’ had a set of coping strategies frequent sale of livestock found be the primary responses. The study concludes pastoralists’ had a many innovative adaptation responses and practices, integration of local knowledge and scientific should have a potential to limit the negative effects of climate change as well as to look at an alternative adaptation strategies.