FEMALE HEADED-HOUSEHOLD FARMERS’ ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY IN CHIRO WOREDA, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

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.