CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND THEIR DETERMINANTS AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN JELLO SUB-CATCHMENT, WESTERN HARARGHE HIGHLANDS, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Increasing weather risks threaten agricultural production systems and food security across the world. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) has therefore been presented as wide range of agricultural practices including cash crops based inter-cropping (CCI) technologies that have the potential to increase food production, incomes and adaptive capacity of the smallholders through interlinked markets, as well as reduce emissions or enhance carbon storage in agricultural soils and biomass. This paper aims to investigate smartness of cash crop based inter-cropping climate smart agricultural practices and determinants on adoption of the best CCI CSA option among smallholders in Jello sub catchment, Western Hararghe Highlands, Ethiopia. Survey questionnaire were conducted and statistical quantitative data were generated from 178 smallholder farmers selected through random sampling and then follow-up key informant interview and focus group discussions to probe or explore the result in more depth. Various descriptive and inferential statistic techniques were applied to analyze the collected survey data. Binary Logistic Regression model was used to analyze the determinant factors of smallholders adoption of best CCI option. In this study smallholder who practiced the combination of “Khat-Sorghum-Haricot Bean” intercropping considered as “the adopter” and a combination of either “Sorghum/Maize- Haricot Bean” or “Khat-Sorghum/Maize” inter-cropping option considered as the “nonadopter” of best CCI option. The majority 59.6% of the sampled farmers were adopter while 40.4% of smallholders were non-adopter. Active family member, farm income, formal education, land certification, extension and trainings variable were statistically significant and positively influence household heads decision to adopt CCI CSA option. Furthermore, family size, number of livestock, and perception of farm plot suitability, number of farm parcels were significant and negatively influence household heads decision. This paper argues that active family members, formal education, trainings through improved extension service and access to land certification can strengthen climate smart farm activities that bolster farm income are required to boost adoption of climate smart agricultural practices.