Abstract:
In countries like Ethiopia where vulnerability to climate variability is high and adaptive capacity
is low, studying climate variability impacts and adaptation measures at local scale is critical. In
view of this,this study was conducted to assess climate variability and its effects on sorghum yield
and explore farmers’ adaptation strategies in Gursum district. To achieve this objective, historical
climate data from 1986-2015 and time series data on sorghum yield from 1998-2015 were
obtained from NMA and Gursum agricultural office respectively. In addition, to elicitfarmers’
adaptation strategies, household interviews based on a statistically determined sample of 175
respondents, Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were conducted.INSTAT+
v.3.36, Modified MK packages, SPSS version 20.0 and XLSTAT 2014 were employed for data
analysis. The long-term annual rainfall showed high variability with a coefficient of variation (CV)
of 37.7%; with all seasons, bega (CV=109.3%),belg (CV=42.5) and kiremt (CV=34.4%) showing
high variability. Onset date of rainfall was highly variable (CV= 43%) whereas cessation date
had low variability (CV=5%). The dry spell probability curve converges to minimum around
August for kiremt and around April for belg seasons and it turns up again. The minimum and
maximum temperatures showed an increasing and decreasing trend respectively both seasonally
and annually. The result of the correlation analysis showed that belg rainfall total (r=0.50),
kiremt rainfall total (r=0.49), onset date of rainy season (r=0.50) and length of growing period
(r=-0.51)had moderate positive and negative relationship with sorghumyield, respectively.In the
wake of climate variability and risks, farmers in the study area employ several adaptation
strategies to absorb the shock. Moreover, the study finds that, the onset and end date of rainy
season were significantly increasing and decreasing respectively, hence, length of growing period
becoming shorter and shorter.Therefore, varieties and cultivar that have short maturity trait
would best fit the area. To this end, research institutions should develop early maturing, moisture
stress and high-temperature tolerant sorghumvarieties
