Impacts of Climate Variability and Climate Change and Adaptation Strategy among Small Scale Farmers of Kurfa Chele District, East Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Suleyman Abdureman Omer,Nuradin Abdi Hassen

doi:10.46379/jscer.2020.010501

Abstract

Climate variability and change has caused instability in production and decline in productivity exacerbating food insecurity particularly in Latin America, Africa including Ethiopia and some parts of Asia. The magnitude and frequency of extreme climatic events is projected to increase. The effects of these climatic changes will become even more pronounced among small scale farmers whose farming activities are weather dependent and vulnerable to climate change, and already affected by environmental degradation and socio-economic risks. Effective adaptation to climate change among small scale farmers is therefore of critical importance, and is dependent on adoption of climate smart practices. However, studies have shown low adoption of climate smart farming practices among small scale farmers world over, in East Hararghe Zone and Kurfa Chele District. This study therefore examined factors influencing adoption of climate smart practices among farmers Kurfa Chele District, East Hararghe Zone, evaluated their existing knowledge, attitude and practice of these practices, assessed their perception of climate change, examined the extent of climate information dissemination, and the resultant impact on uptake of these practices. The research adopted a survey research design, where both quantitative and qualitative research strategies were used. Data was gathered through Focus Group Discussions, questionnaires, key informant interviews, observations and desk review. Both simple random and purposive sampling was used to sample 420 small scale farmers and technical officers of the agriculture sector respectively. Data was analysed using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. To test the statistical significance of the findings and relationships between the variables, chi-square test was used.

Highlights

IntroductionBackground of the Study Climate variability and change are among the major environmental challenges of the 21st century
1.3.3 Research Questions To achieve its objectives, the study was guided by the following research questions; a) How is the perception of climatic change risks and their impacts on farming among small scale farmers influencing adoption of climate smart practices of studies area?
In spite of the glaring observation, analysis of County Government documents clearly demonstrated that most County Government officials were still oblivious of and not concerned about climate change (KCG, 2014). This was evidenced by lack of clear policy guidelines on climate change adaptation in agriculture

Summary

Introduction

Background of the Study Climate variability and change are among the major environmental challenges of the 21st century. Scientific evidence indicates that anthropogenic factors are the major contributors to the prevailing global climate change (Forster et al, 2007). Climate variability and change impacts directly or indirectly on all economic sectors to some degree, but agriculture is among the sectors most sensitive and inherently vulnerable to climate variability (Boko et al, 2007; Müller et al, 2011; Wheeler and Braun, 2013), and climate change is most likely to increase this vulnerability (Haile, 2005; Challinor et al, 2007b; Cooper et al, 2008; Thornton et al, 2010). The impacts of increased temperature from global warming and changes in rainfall patterns resulting from climate change are expected to reduce agricultural production and put further pressure on marginal land (Lobell and Field, 2007; Van de Steeg et al, 2009)

Objectives

Results

Conclusion