Abstract:
Droughts rank among the most pervasive natural calamities, deeply affecting global
socioeconomic endeavors and individual welfare on a worldwide scale, with Ethiopia
experiencing significant ramifications that exacerbate food insecurity and poverty. This
research delves into the repercussions of droughts, the strategies employed to cope with them,
and the factors influencing these strategies among agro-pastoral households in Meta Woreda,
situated in the East Hararghe Zone of the Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Combining primary
and secondary data sources, primary data was gathered through structured questionnaires, key
informant interviews, and focus group discussions, while secondary data was sourced from the
National Meteorological Agency. A simple random sampling method was utilized to select
households, resulting in 348 households being surveyed. Various coping mechanisms were
identified, including Crop-based, Livestock-based, Water resource-based, and Income-based
strategies. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and a multinomial logit model, while the
standardized precipitation index and rainfall trends were evaluated using DrinC software and
Mann-Kendall tests with Sen's slope estimator. SPI values over different timeframes, ranging
from SPI-12, 6-, to 3-, spanning from 1992 to 2021, were examined. This diverse dataset enabled
a comprehensive assessment of drought severity at various points throughout the year, essential
for agricultural planning and resource management. The study underscores the heterogeneous
rainfall patterns observed across months and seasons, indicating fluctuating mean levels and
variability throughout the study period. Despite these fluctuations, a moderate annual rainfall
variability persists. Temperature analysis revealed consistent trends with occasional notable
fluctuations, particularly in select months showing upward trends. The findings elucidate
various demographic and socio-economic factors that significantly influence agro-pastoral
coping strategies for drought impacts, such as sex, age, family size, credit availability, and
agricultural extent. Conversely, predictors like education level, farmland size, and climate
information demonstrated non-significance depending on the coping strategy analyzed. These
insights offer valuable perspectives into the determinants shaping adaptive behaviors in agro-
pastoral communities grappling with drought challenges
