The role of integrated watershed management in climate change adaptation for small-scale farmers in Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Climate change severely affects smallholder farmers in developing countries such as Ethiopia. To overcome the impacts, the government of Ethiopia has been undertaking a massive adaptation programs including integrated watershed management practices. However, there is a limited understanding of climate change, adaptation strategies, and the effect and acceptance of the implemented techniques. The objective of this study was to assess climate variability, farmers’ climate change adaptation strategies, and the role of watershed management in climate change adaptation. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 255 household heads from three rural kebeles (lowest administrative unit of government) in high, mid, and low-elevation areas. The household survey, focus group discussion, and key informant interview record were used to collect data. In addition, long term meteorology record was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multinomial logit model. The results showed that more than 80% of the farmers, in each elevation, perceived climate variability such as increasing temperature and rainfall fluctuations. The perceived variability is more pronounced in the low-elevation areas. The meteorology record also showed fluctuation in rainfall. About 90% of respondents in each elevation area perceived population pressure, cultivation, and deforestation as the major causes of climate variability. About 90% of respondents perceived crop yield decline due to climate variability. In drought years, crop yield and livestock production decline by ∼50% compared to the average year. Adjustment of crop planting time, crop diversification, selling household assets, participating in off-farm activities, and using government aid were practiced as climate change adaptation measures. About 70% of farmers perceived the positive role of watershed management in climate change adaptation. On average, 36–43% of the farmers in the study area participated in watershed management activities such as the construction of bunds and tree planting, which assist in coping with climate variability impacts. Farm size, sex, education, and farming experience positively and significantly affect the adaptation practices of the farmers. Policymakers and practitioners need to consider the issues related to climate variability and watershed management as a strategy for climate change adaptation. Policy intervention by the Federal government on sustainable watershed management and rural livelihood strategies could assist in sustainable environmental management and climate change adaptation.