Abstract:
Climate variability has the tendency of negatively affecting the socio-economic
development of a society at both community and national level. Thus, as a developing
country, Ethiopia is one of the victims of climate change and variability. In this study,
attempts were made with the main objective of assessing Female headed-household
farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate variability in Chiro Woreda. In order to meet the
intended objectives, the study was employed convergent parallel research design through
both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Purposive, stratified and systematic random
sampling techniques were utilized to select study area, sample kebeles and simple size
respectively. For data gathering tools: questionnaires, key informant interview, focus
group discussion and document reviews were used. For data analysis descriptive statistics,
econometrics model (linear regression statistical model and binary logistic model) were
employed. Accordingly, the qualitative and quantitative findings of the study confirmed
that the analyzed mean annual temperature showed positive slops of increments with slope
value of 0.038/year and the trends of mean annual rainfall variable over time period
proved significant decrease with the slope value of -11.149/year with inter seasonal
variability in the past consecutive 30 years. As come to socio-economic impacts, Female
headed-household farmers’ experienced several drought related problems (reduction of
crop yields, diseases and scarcity of clean water) resulted from climate variability.
Regarding on affecting factors in the choice of adaptation strategies; lack of climate
information, shortage of extension services and lack of knowledge were rated as the main
barriers. To add, the results of binary logistic model showed: age of the household heads,
farm income, access to climate information and agro ecological zone were found
significant determinants while practicing on-farm adaptation strategies. Finally, the study
recommends possible solutions as concerned authorities of the Woreda, Zone and NGO
should be focused on capacity building activities which increases awareness in adaptation
practices and planned to implement it proactively to minimize such impacts and
determinant factors while practicing adaptation options in response to climate variability.
