SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ADAPTATION STRATEGIES, AND THEIR IMPACTS ON FOOD SECURITY IN DIRE DAWA ADMINISTRATION, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Climate change and variability represent critical global challenges, with profound implications for agricultural productivity, particularly in Ethiopia, where manifestations such as drought and flooding exacerbate vulnerabilities, food insecurity, and rural poverty. Addressing the impacts of climate change necessitates a nuanced understanding of farmers' knowledge, adaptation responses, and the spatial and temporal variations in food security at the micro-level. This study aims to comprehensively assess smallholder farmers’ awareness of climate change and its determinants, identify the adaptation strategies they employ, and evaluate the impact of these strategies on household food security. Focusing on rural Dire Dawa Administration in Eastern Ethiopia, we employed a cross-sectional research design, collecting data from 385 farm households through a multi-stage random sampling technique and semi-structured questionnaires. A range of analytical methods, including ordered logit, multivariate probit, endogenous switching regression, and trivariate probit seemingly unrelated regression, were employed. Notably, only 30.5% of respondents demonstrated a high level of climate change knowledge, indicating a significant knowledge gap among the population. Adaptation strategies identified included livelihood diversification (44.88%), soil and water conservation (35.63%), chemical fertilizer use (32.54%), and irrigation (19.95%), with 73.49% of households adopting at least one strategy; however, 59% remained food insecure. The ordered logistic regression revealed that factors such as sex, age, marital status, and access to extension services significantly influenced climate change knowledge. The multivariate probit model also indicated that variables such as education, family size, farm income, and access to credit substantially shaped the selection of adaptation strategies, with evidence suggesting that certain strategies are complementary. Furthermore, the endogenous switching regression model established that the adoption of climate adaptation strategies significantly enhances food security, with adopters experiencing an 11.6% lower daily calorie intake in the absence of adaptation, while non-adopters would see a 12.8% increase in calorie intake if they had adopted climate adaptation strategies. The trivariate probit model underscored the strong interconnections between farmers’ climate knowledge, adaptation strategies, and food security. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions by agricultural stakeholders, particularly policymakers and local development planners, to address the socio-economic, biophysical, and institutional factors influencing farmers’ climate knowledge, adaptation choices, and food security status. Such interventions are crucial for enhancing resilience and sustainability in the face of ongoing climate challenges.