Abstract:
Rainfall and temperature variability is among the principal sources of variations in crop
production in developing countries including Ethiopia. This study assessed the impacts of
climate variability on maize (Zea mays L.) yield and farmers’ adaptation strategies in
Kurfa Chele district. Climate data (1996-2016) and maize yield data (2001-2016) were
acquired from the NMA of Ethiopia and KWANRO, respectively. Primary data was
collected from 137 household heads, FGD and KII. Variability, trend and anomaly of
climate variables were analyzed using INSTAT +3.37 and Mann-Kendall trend analysis
while primary data of adaptation and farmers perception were analyzed by SPSS 20. The
mean start of rainy seasons, length of growing period and end of the rainy seasons in
Kurfa Chele district were 31st March, 178 days and 25th September respectively and belg
onset was highly variable (CV=42%). Annual and kiremt rainfall amounts were found to
increase by a factor of 2.45 and 1.64 mm/year, respectively and were insignificant at 5%.
Conversely, the belg rainfall decreased by a factor of -0.8 and was insignificant. The
maximum temperature showed increasing trend at annual, kiremt and belg periods by a
factor of 0.046, 0.053 and 0.066 OC/year, respectively. Similarly, annual, kiremt and belg
minimum temperatures showed increasing trend and were significant at 5%. The
correlation of maize yield with rainfall and temperature parameters revealed that belg
rainy days and kiremt rainy days have strong relationships with maize yield. The result of
multiple regression showed that an increase in kiremt end date (-0.04 Kg/ha) and kiremt
mean temperature (-2.57 Kg/ha) caused decrease in maize yield. Coefficient of
determination indicates that climate features predict 79% the variation in maize yield. A
majority (94%) of the respondents perceived increase in temperature and decrease in
rainfall in the study area. Most commonly practiced adaptation strategies in the study area
include soil and water conservation, mixed cropping, crop diversification and livestock
rearing. Thus, it is essential to advance extension services to improve perception of climate
variability and proper implementation of adaptation practices in the study area
