Abstract:
Climate change and variability are the major global environmental challenge affecting agricultural
production. The study was focused in Gomma district Jimma zone, Southern Ethiopia. It aimed to
assess climate variability and its effects on maize production. Quantitative data were acquired from
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States Geological Survey
(USGS), Alaska Satellite Facility, Ministry of Agriculture, Ethiopia and Agricultural office of
Gomma district. Qualitative data were obtained through questionnaire from 365 households’
selected using multi-stage area cluster sampling method from three agro ecological zone. Key
informant interview was used to supplement the data found from household survey. Climate data
was analyzed using Mann Kendal (MK) test, Sens slope estimator and spatial interpolation
techniques; the relations between maize yields and climate data were computed by multiple linear
regression model; land suitability analysis were done using multi criteria decision making and
weighted overlay analysis method. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used to develop a
matrix of pairwise comparisons to estimate weighted values of parameters in land suitability for
maize production. The results revealed the district has received the spatial variations of annual
rainfall varies from 1770.56 to 2158.20mm with coefficient of variation (CV) from 23.63 to
29.93% and mean annual temperature varies from 16.70°C to 18.70°C with 2.14 to 2.55% (CV).
The results indicated magnitudes of precipitation in highland and midland area shows statistically
insignificant increasing trends; while insignificantly decreasing trends in lowland area and Mean
annual temperature of the district shows significant increasing trends at 0.05 confidence level.
Land suitability analysis results showed 95% of total area of Gomma district is moderately suitable
for maize production. Plantation, agroforestry and forest conservation are applied as mitigation
measures and changing varieties of crops, changing cultivation and harvesting times are
implemented as adaptation to climate change/variability. Geospatial technologies is useful to
detect the changes on our natural environments for further analysis, planning, monitoring and
decision making purpose.
