THE ROLE OF LOCAL INSTITUTION IN ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE CASE OF HARAMAYA WOREDA EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Climate change is real and might affect all regions, countries and rural areas in some way. Smallholder farmers are most at risk to its impacts. Successful adaptation is therefore needed to increase their resilience to climate change. However, the capacity to adapt depends on specific institutional arrangements operating within the society. The main objective of this study was to investigate the role of local institution to climate change adaptation in Haramaya Woreda,. The study was used multistage sampling techniques for the survey. A household survey was conducted using 296 heads of households who were randomly selected. Face to face interviews were organized with 10 heads of institutions involved in smallholder farmer development project in the study Kebele’s. Quantitative data from the field was subjected to statistical analysis such as binary logistic, multiple regressions and chi-squares tests and presented in the form of frequencies and percentages. According to the results three of the institutions were in existence and the smallholders were also confirmed that, there were climate changes in the areas. Besides, accessibility of farming households to local institutions have significant contribution for improvements of livelihood assets such as human, financial, natural, social and physical capitals at local level. Based on the findings, the study recommended that, institutions must develop innovative ways of spreading out their reach (such as outreach on market days) in order to aid farmer adaptation. In addition, the improvement of financial, natural and physical capitals of livelihood assets play remarkable role for promoting the welfare status of smallholders. Therefore, the local government bodies should work hard to improve the accessibility of all public institutions to meet the service needs of people that can change their livelihood.