Abstract:
In Ethiopia where climate variability has caused devastating effects on vulnerable small-holder farmers’ livelihoods, studying the effects and adaptation measures at local scale are crucial. This study assessed climate variability and its effects, adaptation strategies used by farmers and factors influencing their choices in Gurawa Woreda. Both primary and secondary data were collected. Historical climate data from 1985-2015 were used from National Meteorological Agency (NMA) to characterize the climate of the study area. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select a statistically determined sample of 366 household head respondents, while key informant interviews and FGD were conducted. Data was analyzed using STATA version 15, and XLSTAT 2018 software, using Modified Mann- Kendall (MK) for trend, Standard Anomaly Index (SAI) and Coefficient of variation (CV) for variability while Multivariate Probit (MVP) model was used to identify factors of adaptation strategies. Results showed increasing trend for minimum and maximum temperatures, decreasing rainfall trends for interannual and seasonal level. The results of standardized annual rainfall anomaly during 1985-2015 revealed dryness and wetness during the study period while, the coefficient of variation revealed a high rainfall variability during Bega (CV=56.8%) and Belg (CV=35.1%), annual rainfall showed moderate variability with (CV=22.3%) but Kiremt (CV=19.8%) showing no variability during the study periods. Farmers have also felt the effects caused by extreme events of climate variability as reduction of family income (37.2 %), loss of crops and livestock (30.9 %), obstacle to educational activities (19.4 %) and human health problems (12.6 %). Farmers in Gurawa used strategies as 73.2 % Cultivating different crops, 66.1% Changing planting dates, 62.6% Planting different crop varieties, 58.7% Soil and water conservation, 36.1% Offarm income diversification, 33.1% Water harvesting strategy, 19.4% Livestock based adaptation strategies to overcome the adverse effects of climate variability. The research identified sex, climate information, market distance, access to credit, on farm income, farm plot size, frequency of extension, age, education, water harvesting experience, household size and livestock holding are the determinant factors influencing adaptation strategies. Therefore, development agents and actors at community level should give due attention to the improvement of determinant factors associated with adaptation strategies so as to achieve better livelihood strategies in the study area.
