Abstract:
Climate variability is one of the serious environmental challenges that have received a lot of
attention in most parts of the world due to its effects on food security.It has continued to
cause huge environmental,social and economic threats to the human beings. Therefore, the
objective of this study was to assess the effects of climate variability on food security and
determinants of adaptation strategies by smallholder farmers in the Girawa district.To
achieve the objectives,a mixed research approach was used. Both primary and secondary
data sources were used. Primary data was obtained by using questionnaires, focus group
discussions, key informant interviews and field observation. Secondary data was compiled
from different sources including rainfall and temperature data from 1990 to 2021.
Fourkebeles and 348 sample household heads were selected using purposive and systematic
random sampling techniques, respectively. The investigator used the Precipitation
Concentration Index, Coefficient of variation and Household Food Balance Model to
analyze data. Multinomial Logit Model used to analyze determinants of farmers’ choices of
adaptation strategies. The findings of the study revealed that the trend linesof temperature
and rainfall decreased,respectively. However, monthly rainfall trend line showed a slightly
increasing by 0.0012mm. There was high inter-annualand seasonal variability.The highest
rainfall variability was observed in Bega with coefficient of variabilityof 74.63%, while the
lowest was observed in Kiremt with the coefficient of variability of 42.03%.The majority of
smallholder farmers perceived climate variability in the study area. Based on the results of
Household Food Balance Model 35% and 65% of the sample respondents were identified as
food secure and food insecure, respectively. One-way ANOVA results revealed that there is
statistically significant mean difference of climate variability indicators between agro ecological zones at P < 0.05.Crop diversification, income diversification, irrigation, and soil
and water conservation were all outcomes of the multinomial logit model. Extension advices,
sex, marital status, off-farm, family size, sources of livelihood, agroecological setting,
climate variability indicators, weather information, and farm size, all influence adaptation
strategy selection. As a result, raising awareness and strengthening existing adaptation
strategies at the household level have a positive role on food security, as has the production
of high-value cash crops and livestock varieties.
