Abstract:
Climate change is a key emerging threat to the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. This study examines small-scale farmer adaptation strategies to climate change and climate variability, and the factors affecting adaptation choice inJimma, Southwestern Ethiopia. This research used a ‘bottom-up’ approach, which seeks to capture insights from the farmers. Primary data was collected through a household survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Secondary data on rainfall and temperature for three stations was obtained from National Meteorological Agency. Mann-Kendall’s test was employed for rainfall and temperature trend analysis. Standardized rainfall anomaly index, rainfall concentration index and coefficient of variation were used as descriptors of rainfall variability. A logistic regression model analysis was used to identify factors affecting farmer’s choice of adaptation strategy. Community based risk screening tool- adaptation and livelihood (Cristal) tool was employed for focus group discussion. The analysis revealed decreasing rainfall trends in Jimma and Setema and increasing trends in Gatira. Increasing trends in maximum and minimum temperature were observed at Jimma. However, both rainfall and temperature trends were not statistically significant (p< 0.05). The coefficient variation of the study area for Setema was (CV=23%), for Jimma (CV= 12%) while for Gatira it was (CV=8%) which showed lower inter-annual variability. The rainfall concentration index revealed that 35% of years with values of PCI >16 in the present study observed at Setema which indicate poor monthly distribution however, studied stations range moderate to high monthly rainfall concentration.The standardized anomalies of annual rainfall revealed negative anomalies 42% at Setema, 52% at Jimma and 50% of years at Gatira. In response to perceived impacts, small scale farmers are implementing various coping and adaptation strategies both at household and community level. The study identified different (crop and livestock) farmers’ adaptation strategy include; adjusting planting time, change crop type and variety , change fertilizer application, soil conservation, increasing shade tree for coffee farm , income diversification and change in animal feed. Conventional Weather information , education, formal extension, age, farm size, income from coffee, agro ecological setting were found to be the major determinants for climate change adaptation strategy. Providing weather information and early warning system will complement their traditional risk management’s skills. Future rainfall trends are highly uncertain so; small-scale irrigation technology could be promoted which is currently very low to reduce the complete dependence of farmers on rain fed agriculture. Apolicy message from these results is that improving climate information forecasting weather at local level, income diversification and extension services can significantly increase farm-level adaptation. The present result also can be used as input to develop climate change adaptation strategy for the study site. Future studies could also evaluate potential adaptation options through details process based assessment.