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VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION PRACTICES TO CLIMATE CHANGE: THE CASE OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS AT GUBA LAFTO WOREDA, AMHARA NATIONAL REGION STATE, ETHIOPIA
(2025-11-19) TSEGAYE TEMESGEN
climate change is a real environment and development threat that need global concern.
Ethiopia is dependent on rain fed agriculture, it becomes one of the most vulnerable
countries to climate change. Agriculture is key livelihood in Guba Lafto woreda farmer,
whose major source of livelihood is annual crops for mainly consumption and perennial
crops is chiefly for market. This livelihoods are mostly suffering from drought and erratic
rain fall during 'Belg' and 'Meher' seasons. However, farmers 'vulnerability and adaptation
practices to climate change have not been seriously recognized nor empirically studied in
Guba Lafto woreda. This study examines farmers vulnerability and adaptation practice to
climate change in the context of sustainable livelihood. A questionnaire survey was
conducted with a systematic random sample of 120 farmer households in three agro
ecological zones namely, Laye Alawuha, Weyiney and Bekelomankiya in lowlands,
midlands and highlands respectively. In addition to questioner, the study was used FGD
with 30 farmers purposefully selected, IS with 15 farmers, 13 experts, 3 governmental
leader, one NGO and one agricultural research institutes are deliberately selected and field
observation. A modified form of sustainable livelihoods framework is deployed as
analytical tool to determine vulnerability context, livelihood assets, institutions enabling or
hindering adaptation and all data analyze through SPSS. The study shows climate change
related problems such as drought, frequent occurrences of frost and snowfall. In addition to
these climate change, socio economic related problems are farmer poor in wealth status,
less land held, absences of employment opportunity and low agricultural technological
capability. However, 60 (50%) of the respondents indicated on their well off (wealthy) as
better well off from last 5 years ago to 2009 E.C comparison due to increasing agricultural
output prices, land rent from other farmer, off farm activity employment and outside
support from their relatives. Thus, the study identified the most vulnerable groups are theXVI
poor, youth specially female and children and farmer with low agricultural technology and
input capability and also their livelihoods depends only annual crop. The farmers also took
a number of measures to adapt to climate change within their capacity. These adaptation
practices includes changing crop variety, irrigation, crop diversification, soil and water
conservation, reducing number of livestock, shifting planting date and off farm activity.
The main barrier for adaptation to climate change is lack of knowledge, information,
inputs, finance, labor and credits. They need government support overcome the constraints
in which they face in using adaptation practices to climate change so that the sustainable
livelihoods can be ensured.
THE EFFECT OF FREE GRAZING ON FORAGE QUALITY AND INVITRO METHANE EMISSION IN CHANGING CLIMATE OF CATTLE IN CHANGING CLIMATE, THE CASE OF SULULTA DISTRICT, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA
(FKMC, 2025-11-19) GEMECHU BEKELE KITIL
In the central Ethiopian highlands, the success or failure of livestock production was determined by livestock-environment interaction impacts which are mainly associated with overgrazing and land degradation (Endale, 2015). However, the differences of in vitro methane emission from free grazing and area closure is not studded & well documented. This study was conducted with the objective of assessing the effect of free grazing on forage quality and in vitro methane emission to fill this gap in sululta district. The research followed mixed approach collecting data both primary (HH survey, FGD, KII and biomass survey) data, secondary data and 30 year RF and temperature data form metrological agency The data obtained from field survey of 139 HH respondents, 30 year RF and Temp data from meteorological agency and 90 sample biomass measurements collected from three kebeles (NMA, WL and WG). The data analysis employed survey data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS 21 version, metrological data analyzed in time serious using Minitab 17 version, farming system characterized using importance index and methane emission determined through laboratory at end of 24 incubation in which 1N Na (OH) 2 was added to the substrate of each syringes. Result showed, the mean annual rainfall of the study area was 1038.9mm and showed a decreasing trend with (1.251mm/year) with coefficient variation CV 29.48%. The mean minimum temperature of the study areas was 12.40C & showed an increasing trend by 0.14970C/decades. The farming system of the study area was characterized by mixed livestock-crop production system. Livestock feed balance of the study area was showed -36,000.45 ton deficit. The chemical analysis of animal feed was made according to Menke and Steingass as described by Abdulrazak and Fujihara, 2000 methods of analysis. The chemical composition of grass form area closure result was showed, OM 79.4%, CP 13.99%, ME 9.5Mj/kg DM, GP 42.78% and OMD 78.9 and DM 89.4%, Ash 15.3%, NDF61.73%, ADF29.38 %, ADL 2.98, and CH4 9.61%. The chemical composition of grass from free grazing result was showed OM 72.92%, CP 8.04%, ME 6.95 mg/kg DM, GP 37.56% and OMD 69.32 and DM 96.97%, Ash 19.15%, NDF78.51%, ADF45.33%, ADL7.79%, CH4 15.4%. This indicated that potential of methane production, higher in free grazing due to low forage quality caused by overgrazing/land degradation. To alleviate feed shortage different development options such as climate-smart technology such as development of improved forages with the use of irrigation and rain fed, Destocking to decrease the number of livestock down to the carrying capacity of the land, to control land degradation due to overgrazing and regional government give a value equal to community-based water shade management strategy.
FARMER’S PERCEPTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND THEIR ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN KĀLU DISTRICT SOUTH WOLLO ZONE ETHIOPIA
(2025-11-19) ALI JEMAL YIMER
Climate Change is causing the greatest environmental, social and economic threats to all of humankind and across borders of many countries. However, developing countries are the most adversely affected by the impacts of Climate induced events because of their low levels of adaptation. This study was intended to answer how farmers perceive climate change and to compare their perception with its climate change variability of historical data of the past 30 years (1987-2016). The study also assessed factors influencing farmer’s perception and adaptation strategies to cope with potential impacts of climate change. The study was conducted in three kebeles of Kalu district in south Wollo Zone of Amahara Regional state. It relied on qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. The primary data were collected using household survey, FGDs, and field observation. Mann-Kendall’s test and Sen’s Slope estimator were used to detect the trend and its magnitude. Standard rainfall anomaly precipitation concentration index and coefficient of variations were used to describe of rainfall variability. 152 households were interviewed, besides focus group discussion and key informants interview were utilized to triangulate and substantiate the findings from household survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometric models. The result showed age, gender education and distance to the local market, had positive and significant influence on farmer’s perception on climate change. However, wealth, agro-ecology and land size had an inverse and significant influence on the perception of farmer is to climate change. Land holding size, education, wealth, distance to the local market climate information and gender had positive and significant influence on choice of adaptation strategies. The finding of the result showed that Bleg season total rainfall exhibited statistically significant declined trend 36.9 mm per decades. The annual maximum rainfall were 1362 mm in 2016 while the lowest annual records were 725 mm in 1987 with the range of 637 mm. the average mean annual rainfall of the last three decades were 1033.88mm with standard deviation of about 159.99 where these much amount rainfall deviated from the mean. The annual average maximum temperature were increased by 1.3oc , durning Belg season before 30 years were 25.5oc, after 30 years the maximum-minimum temperature recorded was 29.3oc in 2016 it increases 3.8oc for the last three decades indicated that there was high inter-seasonal temperature and rainfall variability.
POTENTIAL OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ CONSERVATION AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN ENHANCING SOIL ORGANIC CARBON STOCK AND OTHER SELECTED SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES ,AT AKAKI DISTRICT, CENTRAL, ETHIOPIA.
(FKMC, 2025-11-19) ADDISU WAKAYO ABAMAGAL
Soil degradation and extensive use of agricultural lands have led to the decline in soil fertility. To reverse the nutrient deterioration of cultivated lands, farmers have started employing various conservation agriculture practices. This study was initiated to examine the potential of conservation agriculture (integrated practices such as inter cropping, crop rotation, residue retention and minimum tillage) for four years ago by smallholder farmers to enhance soil organic carbon stock and other selected soil physicochemical properties in Akaki district Bilbilo micro watershed. A systematic sampling method was employed for data collection. Totally 96 composite soil samples (8 plots x 2 treatments x 2 replication of site x 3 depth: 0-10cm, 10-20cm and 20-30cm) were collected for analysis. Results showed that soil bulk density (BD) was significantly (p<0.05) varied with practices and depth (p<0.001). It was lower in soil under conservation (0.78 g m-3) than under conventional practice (1.48 gm-3); and in the top layer 0-10 cm (1.21±0.05) than the rest depths. BD showed increasing trend with soil depth across the practices: lower on the top 0-10cm depth (0.78 ±0.03) compared with the rest. The pH was higher (7.28) in conservation than conventional (5.75) due enhanced SOM. The CEC was higher (14.6Cmol (+)/kg) in conservation practice than in the conventional (10.3cmol (+)/kg). Both pH and CEC had shown increase in the two practices and soil depth due to the leaching of base cation from upper to lower layers. The mean SOC stocks decrease with increasing soil depth about the significant variations with treatments and depth. The SOC stock was higher (110.6t c /h) in conservation practice than in conventional practice (50.22 t/ha). Similarly, total N stocks was also higher (19.5 t c/ha) in conservation practice than in conventional practice (17.4 t c/ha). SOC and total N in both practices had decreased with soil depth due to lower accumulation of organic residue in the lower layer. Likewise, C: N ratios had increases with depth due to similar reason the decrease the amount of soil organic carbon and TN pool (e.g. root biomass) with depth. However, the C: N ratio has higher value in conservation practice (6.51) than in conventional practice (6.05) due to fertility of soil improved. The higher variability in SOC stock across the farming practices and soil depths was due to human disturbance during cultivation and other activities. Such as the change in agricultural practice management can increase or decrease soil organic carbon. In conclusion, most of the measured soil properties were improved in CA aided followed by soil depth compared with conventional agriculture and at soil depth layers ones. The interaction of farming practice types and soil depth also significantly affected all parameters. Therefore, integrated land management and soil conservation measures especially (CA aided) are required in all land management types and soil depth to maintain soil properties.
THE LIVELIHOOD VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS TO THE CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILTY IN MAREKA DISTRICT, DAWURO ZONE, SOUTH WEST ETHIOPIA
(2024-10-23) GIRMA MITA ABDETA
Ethiopia is among the most susceptible countries in the world due to climatic variability and
change, which can lead to flooding and drought. Climate change occurs by high temperature,
scarce rainfall, and high amount of rainfall variability reduces crop yield and shortage of
food security in low income and economies that based on agriculture. The main objective of
this study was to explore and analyze Livelihood Vulnerability of smallholder Farmers to
the Climate Change and Variability in Mareka District, South West Region, and Ethiopia.
Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used for this research data collection and
analysis. Primary data were collected from 117 randomly selected farming households
from three kebeles using structured questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and
observations. Data on rainfall and temperature from 1992 to 2022 as well as Mann-
Kendall test and regression analysis was used to detect trends and variability. A
modified form of Sustainable Livelihoods Framework combined with Livelihood
Vulnerability Index was employed to estimate livelihood vulnerability. According to the
survey results, about 79.5% of the respondents perceive that the rainfall amount in the study
area is decreasing. But the results are not supported by, long-term recorded rainfall data
showed that the annual rainfall is increasing by the rate of 4.6206 mm annually over the past
31 years despite being statistically non-significant, the mean annual rainfall was 1316 mm
with 25% of the coefficient of variation which is moderately variable based on the degree of
variability. Similarly, 80% of interviewed farmers said that temperature is an increasing
trend, which confirms the results from the analysis of long-term recorded data by NMA that
indicated the mean average minimum and maximum temperatures are increasing by 0.069 0C
and 0.027 0C per annum respectively. The result from the analysis of vulnerability to climate
change indicated that about 22% of farmer's livelihoods were highly vulnerable to climate
change and variability, 48% were medium vulnerable and 29.9% were least vulnerable to
climate change and variability due to high exposure, low adaptive capacity, and high
sensitivity in the study area. Furthermore, the study revealed that the farmers of mareka
district took a number of measures to adapt to climate change within their capacity.
These adaptation strategies include planting early maturing varieties, planting high-yielding
varieties, changing crop variety, crop diversification, soil and water conservation, Emphasis
on live stock keeping instead of crop cultivation, practicing crop rotation and practicing
agro forestry. The main barriers to adaptation to climate change are t h e economic
status of households, poor infra structural development, poor farming system, lack of credit
access, low educational level of households, and lack of labor. Therefore, government
should be trains and teach farmers on the issue of climate change to create awareness
,upscale the local adaptation strategies and support to overcome the vulnerability to
climate change and constraints in which they face in using adaptation strategies to
climate change and so that ensure sustainable livelihoods