CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND DETERMINANTS OF FARMERS’ CHOICE OF ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AMONG AGRO PASTORALIST COMMUNITIES IN DIRE DAWA ADMINISTRATION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Climate variability with increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods is expected to negatively affect agricultural production and food security and it causes enormous suffering particularly on rural farmers’ whose livelihoods depend largely on rain-fed agriculture. The overall objective of this study is to identify determinants of Farmers’ choice of adaptation to climate variability. For this study, Primary data was collected from 328 randomly selected household heads through structured questionnaires which were supplemented by 4 focus group discussion with 40 participants and field observations in 4 selected kebeles. Secondary data from different sources were also included in the study. Both descriptive statistics and Multinomial Logit model were employed to assess climate variability and determinants of Farmers’ choice of adaptation practices. The survey result shows that there are different adaptation strategies implemented including changes in planting date; implementation of soil and water conservation techniques; shifts in livestock rearing from cattle to small ruminant; growing drought tolerant crops; oxen fattening using cut and carry methods and intercropping pulses with cereals. According to the Multinomial Logit model analysis, farmers implemented adaption practices account for 83% that are followed with those who do not use adaption practices account for 13%. Out of 13 independent variables, 8 were found to be significant at p value less than 1.5 and 10 %. Age of the household head, education, family size, plot of farm size, farm income, access to credit, information on climate variability and perception to climate variability have significant and positive correlation with seasonal migration, soil and water conservation, adjustment to planting period and planting drought tolerant varieties Furthermore, the major determinants factors that affect significantly the choices of adoptions practices were identified as sex, age, family size, education level, land holding. Livestock holdings, access to climate information, extension service and access to credit.