Determinants of climate change adaptation strategies and existing barriers in Southwestern parts of Ethiopia

Abstract

Climate change adaptation is critical for sustainable livelihood in developing countries like Ethiopia where rain-fed agriculture is the major economic sector. Cross-sectional data from 442 individuals were collected from the farming communities in southwestern parts of Ethiopia using a multi-stage sampling technique. Multivariate probit model, weighted average index (WAI), and the problem confrontation index (PCI) techniques were applied to identify factors that influence the household decision to adapt to climate change, major adaptation options, and existing barriers, respectively. The results of the multivariate probit model show that access to agricultural extension services, access to climate information, rainfall pattern change, and crop loss were the major factors that influence household decisions to adapt to climate change. Access to agricultural extension services and access to climate information were the key factors that enabled farmers to adopt different adaptation strategies. The male household headship and early onset of rains variables do not influence the household decision to adapt to climate change. Notably, the farming communities use various adaptation strategies to overcome the negative impacts of climate change on their livelihoods. The problem confrontation index results revealed that lack of irrigation facilities, high cost of farm inputs, and infertile soils were the major barriers identified in this study. Thus, strong institutional support is required to overcome the barriers that hinder the farming communities to adapt to climate change.