ADOPTION OF CLIMATE SMART CATTLE PRODUCTION PRACTICES AND DETERMINANTS AMONG SMALLHOLDERS FARMERS, THE CASE OF KEDIDA GAMELA WOREDA IN KAMBATA TEMBARO ZONE IN SNNPR

Abstract

Cattle production plays significant role in Ethiopian economy and Kedida Gamela Woreda is a potential area for dairy and beef cattle farming. However, developing countries including Ethiopia become more susceptible to the adverse impact of climate change and variability because their economy depends on rain-fed agriculture which is climate sensitive. The main objective of this study was, to examine or investigate the practices and determinants of adoption of Climate Smart cattle production practices among smallholder’s farmers in Kedida Gamela Woreda, Kembata Tambaro Zone, and SNNPR, Ethiopia. The study employed mixed research approach with Explanatory research design used to explain the cause and impacts relationships b/n independent and dependent variables. To end this the study used 300 sample household heads from three Kebeles which were selected purposely. Various descriptive and inferential statistic techniques were applied to analyze the collected survey data. Multinomial logistic (MNL) regression model was used to analyze the determining factors of adoption practices. All respondents adopted at least three Climate Smart cattle production practices. The widely adopted practices are feed conservation (75.8%), generic breed improvement (58.33%) and agro forestry (49%) while the least adopted one is bio-gas generation (2%).The multinomial logit model result also identified that determinants factors for adoption of climate smart cattle production practices among smallholder farmers were age, sex educational level, family size, farm size, source of income, access to farmer to farmer contact ,exposure to information to climate variability and total livestock ownership. Therefore the findings of the study recommended that socio-economic factors influencing adoption of Climate Smart cattle production practices is better to be taken into consideration while accelerating the face of technology adoption under similar farming system spectrum by all concerned stakeholders in synergy.