Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of climate change and adaptation strategies by pastoralists and
agropastoralists in meiso district,Western Hararghe zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. A sample of 260
households was used and data collected using Focus Group Discussions ,key informant interviews
and household questionnaires. Other information was collected from secondary sources.The mann
Kendall trend test indicated that precipitation decreased by -12.82mm/year at 0.05significance level.
opposed to rainfall, temperature is increasing by 0.0450c at 0.05 significance level. FGD with
pastoralists and agropastoralists indicated the effects of climate change as feed shortage, shortage
of water,reduced crop and livestock productivity increased mortality and disease. The major
adaptation strategies in pastoral area includes diversification of livestock species and herd
mobility.In agropastoral area the major adaptation strategies were mixed crop-livestock farming
followed by changing livestock feed. Multinomial logit model show that training services,income
access to credit , land scarcity and lack of climate information factors have a significant impact on
mobility as an adaptation option at 5% level of significance. Lack of institutional support like access
to credit would increase the mobility adaptation choice by 0.56% in the pastoral community. Land
Scarcity and lack of access to credit increase the probability of pastoralists and agropastoralists
adaptation strategies by 21.7% and 1.15%, respectively. The study recommends a number of policy
options and strategies towards climate change. It also proposes need for policy advocacy at national
and international levels on climate change issues as well as increasing water use efficiency and
productivity,sustainable agriculture; promoting economic diversification and alternative livelihoods.
There is also the need for research and development of innovative solutions to the challenges
affecting Pastoralism and agropastoralism
