Effects of Climate Variability on Maize (Zea mays L.) Production and Farmers Adaptation Strategies in Siraro Badawacho Woreda, Hadiya Zone South Nation Nationality and Peoples Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Siraro Badawacho Woreda is one of the dominant maize producing areas in Ethiopia. However, its production was influenced by climate variability. The major objective of the study was to assess the effect of climate variability on maize production and productivity in Siraro Badawacho woreda. To achieve the objective of the study, cross sectional research design and mixed research approach were used. Stratified, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed at different levels. The research also sought to establish the different adaptation measures and copping strategies. Data was acquired by administration of designed questionnaires to 278 systematically selected household heads and 30 years climate data was obtained from NMAE Hosanna station from 1989-2019. The data collected on rainfall, temperature and maize yields were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and SPSS software version 26 to generate frequency tables, pie charts, and graphs. Descriptive statistics, annual mean linear and trend line for climatic data trend and, spearman correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the association of climate variability and maize productivity, and binary logistic model were employed. The finding of meteorological data indicated that, minimal and maximal annual temperatures were increasing in 0.0679oc and 0.1278C per year respectively. In contrary, annual rainfall was decreasing in20.244mm per year. The survey result indicates that maize productivity was decreasing as altitude decrease and increasing as altitude increase inversely as temperature increase maize productivity was decreasing. The finding of this study indicates that among 13 variables selected for binary logistic regression model, eight of them were at P<α(α=0.05) significantly associated with maize productivity; sex of respondent, total maize farmland size, temperature and rainfall fluctuation have negative association especially during Bega and Tsedey season. The study therefore recommended that the Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources together with Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries do create awareness on Climate variability and its effects on maize yield. Even though most of the population may have been aware of climate variability, the study identified need for additional awareness creati