EFFECTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON FOOD SECURITY AND DETERMINANTS OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS ADAPTATION STRATEGIES: THE CASE OF GIRAWADISTRICT, EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

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.