PERCEPTION AND CHOICES OF ADAPTATION STRATEGIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE AMONG FEMALE HEADED HOUSEHOLDS: THE CAUSES OF SELECTED KEBELS IN DEJEN DISTRICT, AMHARA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Rural women in Ethiopia are highly affected by climate change and climate change-induced problems. The purpose of this study was to asses Perception and Choices of Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change among Female Headed Households in Dejen district. Both qualitative and quantitative data from secondary and primary data sources used. Descriptive statistics and multivariate probit econometric model employed for data analysis. The descriptive statistics result shows the respondents perceived climate change in terms of increasing temperature and decreasing of rainfall. The respondents were used five climate change adaptation strategies. These are soil and water conservation, crop diversification, small-scale irrigation, improved crop varieties and adjusting planting/sowing dates. The multivariate probit model results indicated that age, education level, landholding size, family size, annual income, access to information about climate change, perception to climate change, frequency of extension visit and market distance have significantly influenced FHH’s choice of adaptation strategies. Except annual income and distance to nearest market, the remaining significant variables positively determine choice of adaptation strategies. The study recommends strengthening of FHHs education through adult education, appropriate utilization of land and family labor, delivery of timely information on weather condition, creating awareness on the negative impact of climate change, building infrastructure and development of transportation system to enhance to choice of climate change adaptation strategies by FHHs.