Analysis of Determinants of Adaptation Options to Climate Change on Maize Growing Smallholder Farmers in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia (The Case of Adama and Adami Tullu Jiddo Kombolch Districts)

Abstract

This study focused on identification of perception level and determinant factors that influence adaptation options to climate change on maize growing smallholder farmers in Adama and Adami Tullu Jiddo Kombolcha districts of the central rift valley of Ethiopia. Analysis of the study was based on a cross-sectional data collected through household survey from the districts in February to March 2013. Representative samples of 233 households were interviewed, with 54% from Adama and the remaining 46% from Adami Tullu Jiddo Kombolcha districts. Descriptive statistics and Multinomial logit model was used to analyze the data. The finding of the study show that about 86% of interviewed farm households perceived climate change as rise and hot in temperature and 83% perceived the change of rainfall in quantity and timing. Econometric analysis result also reveals that; education level, age and gender of the household head, family size, land holding size and access to information have significant and positive influences on households’ decision to employ various adaptation strategies to climate change. The study also identified the most prioritized adaptation strategies by the households which include: soil conservation and management, fertilizers application, off-farm works, crop diversification, agro-forestry and use of improved seeds. Based on the findings, policies and strategies that encourage participation of farmers in planning and application of adaptation strategies with bottom-up approach is required for better anticipation of climate change instead of focusing on reacting the impacts. This can be achieved through increasing access to credit facilities, providing other sources of income for the households, comprising climate change in education policy, access to crop insurance schemes, improving extension system in view of climate change. Enhancing farmers’ organization for experience sharing which helps to strength public adaptation capacity and improving institutional capacity to generate weather forecasting information at local level.