Livestock Held Farmers’ Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Case of Selected Zones, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

The climate change is increasing the frequent of droughts and sudden flooding. This research was aimed to assess the livestock induced farmers vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in Sikkoo-Mandoo societies in selected zones of Oromia region. The study sites and thirteen key informants were purposive selected whereas 64 households were selected by stratified random sampling. Stratifying household in to two traditional agro ecology zones they were randomly selected from each strata. Data were mainly collected by respondents’ interview and reviewing of literatures, and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The cattle, poultry, donkeys, sheep, goat, horses and mule were the livestock found in study area. As evaluated by respondents from their experience the scarcity of water and fodders were caused highly vulnerable of livestock to extreme climatic events in winter and autumn season. Very high vulnerability were recorded in cattle types of livestock and communities livelihood. The vulnerability of farmers’ livelihoods were related to the frequent exposure and high sensitivity of livestock to extreme climatic events. The medium livestock adaptive capacity in average were identified in general. The storing of straw, livestock mobility, herd splitting, using forest fodders and harvested/tap water were the livestock based climate change adaptation strategies used by majorities of farmers. Livestock based farmers’ adaptation strategies were focused on livestock products and services. Their products are egg, milk and its product, using livestock dung for manure, meat, selling livestock and their products, and renting livestock labor as a source of income whereas their services includes the use of livestock in farming practice, transportation, and recreation for climate change adaptation. The first animals sold during crop fallers were poultry, sheep, goats, cattle and their products. Thus building climate change and variability’s adaptive capacity of livestock have significant role in advancing climate resilient agriculture for sustainable farmers’ livelihood. Keywords: Adaptation, Extreme Climatic Event, Livestock’s Vulnerability DOI : 10.7176/CER/11-4-04 Publication date :May 31 st 2019