IMPACT OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES: THE CASE OF BEDENO WOREDA, EASTERN HARARGHE, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA

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 Secondary data was also used from review of published and unpublished materials and documents from government offices.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.