Abstract:
Climate variability directly and indirectly affect cultivation of maize yield, these condition
impacting the smallholder farmer living in the Ethiopia specially whose life is dependent on
rain fed agriculture. The objective of this study is to assess Determinants of Farmers’
Adaptation Strategies to the Impact of Climate Variability on Maize [Zea Mays L] Yield in
Adami Tullu Jido Kombolcha Woreda. Data was collected from 330 sample smallholder
farmers’ were selected purposely from three kebeles through survey questioner, interviews
and focus group discussions. Quantitative and Qualitative data were collected from both
primary and secondary sources. The quantitative data includes long-term climatic data and
maize outputs for 30 years (1994 – 2023) that were obtained from the Ethiopian
Meteorological Institute (EMI) of Ethiopia Asela branch and Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha
Agricultural Office, respectively. Data from different sources were analyzed using descriptive
and inferential statistics including coefficient correlation, multivariate regression and
multinomial logit models (MNL). The result of the study shows that the annual maximum and
minimum temperature significantly increased by a factor of 0.144 0C and 0.148 0C
respectively. In the study area, there was a positive correlation between maize yield and
annual rainfall(r= 0.981).Due to climatic factors, about 98.1% of maize yield variation was
observed in the study area. The regression result shows that climate variables significantly
affect maize yields. Regarding the factors affecting the farmer’s choice of adaptation strategies to climate variability sex, age, family size, level of education, experience, income
and others are significant affecting by level of confidence, respectively the choices of
adaptation strategies to climate variability. Hence, these findings suggested a need to
encourage smallholder farmers’ adaptive capacity.
