DROUGHT, FEATURES AND EFFECTS ON AGROPASTORALIST COMMUNITY AND COPING STRATEGIES: THE CASE OF GOLA ODA WOREDA OF EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Ethiopia is among those countries most vulnerable to climate risks in Africa and it is the historically prone country to extreme weather events which was a reason for droughts that caused periodic food insecurity. The impact of drought not only leads to the shortage of water and food but also have a long terms social, economical, environmental and health impact, on the population. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to examine the social, economic and environmental effects of drought based on their likelihood, and the degree of existence effects of drought; to find out the traditional coping strategies of the agropastoralists of the Gola Oda woreda. To achieve these objectives compressive survey was employed and data was collected from 366 sample respondents and meteorological agency. These respondents were selected by using probable sampling methods. The gathered data were analyzed using frequencies and statistical descriptive like: percentage, mean, and mode; and the results are illustrated using tables, and diagrams. As a result, effects of the drought were likely appeared on the social, economic and environment conditions of the agropastoralists. In addition, the effect degree of the drought on the social, economic and environmental conditions was high. Nevertheless, the traditional and contemporary coping for food shortage, water shortage, human and animal health problems were likely practiced. This was because, the communities have been poor economically, and they are exposure to vulnerable environmental and sensitive livelihood to drought. Therefore, the effect of drought is beyond their coping practices were poorly accomplished. From this, it is possible to deduct that the societies of the study area have good awareness about the effects of drought however, their economic condition cannot significantly support the implementation of the new and modern coping strategies rather than traditional.