Abstract:
Climate change is one of the major global challenges and has significant impacts on
agriculture, particularly on livestock production. In Ethiopia, which is predominantly an
agricultural country, livestock production provides a source of income, food, and livelihood
for the rural population. The study aims to investigate the impacts of climate variability/
change on livestock production, and the adaptation strategies of farmers in Bedeno Woreda. A
mixed research design and a concurrent mixed research approach were employed. Both
primary and secondary sources of data employed to achieve the stated objectives. Primary data
were collected from a randomly selected 350 sample household heads interviewed through a
questionnaire, key informants interview and focus group discussion. Secondary data was also
used from review of published and unpublished materials and documents from government
offices. A long-term climate data of temperature and rainfall from 2002 -2022 was received
from National Metrological Institute of Ethiopia Jigjiga branch. Data were analyzed using
both qualitative and quantitative (descriptive statistics and inferential statistics) methods of
data analysis, such as mean, coefficient variation, percentage and standard deviation together
with the logit regression model .The result showed that rainfall and temperature are found
variable in the study area in the period from 2003 to 2022. Both maximum and minimum
temperatures were increasing more than that of the rainfall. Detailed analysis of rainfall has
shown a decrease for rainfall during main rainy season at the study area, while short rainy
season was decrease. Climate variables data were found to have a significant impact on the
livestock production. The adaptation strategies employed by farmers include the use of
different diversified livestock, reducing number of livestock, income diversification; improve
feed access and increasing water availability. In general, the findings of the study suggest that
there is a need to support farmers’ adaptation capacity and improve their livestock production
efficiency to overcome the impacts of climate variability.
