African Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0786
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJEST
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 1134

Article in Press

The Perspective of Farmers on Climate Change and Adaptation Strate-gies in Begi District, West Ethiopia

Zelalem Telila Geleta, Yohannes Shifera Daka

  •  Received: 10 March 2022
  •  Accepted: 02 March 2023
At present, climate change is one of the global issue and a major challenge for society and the economy, which also affecting Begi district, one of west wollega districts of Oromia re-gion. This study was conducted with the major goal of assessing perception of farmers on climate change and adaptation strategies in the study area. For the purpose of data collec-tion, four Kebeles and for interview a total of 127 households were selected. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect and analyze data. The primary data was col-lected through household’s interview, focus group discussions, KIIs, and direct field obser-vation. To look at climate variability/change trends, secondary temperature data from 1983 to 2019 from the ENMA gridded data was used. Relationships between dependent and inde-pendent variables were examined using simple linear and multinomial logistic regression models. Findings of the study revealed that the mean district’s temperature has increased by 0.76°C, over the past 3 decades with 0.66°C an annual increase, while rainfall shows a downward trend with 12.6% an annual decrease. The study also shows that the frequency of drought increases over time, and floods and pests are the greatest consequences of climate change in Begi district. Even though farmer’s adoption of adaptation mechanisms were af-fected by different factors, they have been implementing numerous adaptation techniques including terrace farming, afforestation, use of improved crops and crops diversification, income diversification, seasonal migration and managing livestock (stocking, cutting and feeding systems) to live in the changed environment.

Keywords: adaptation; climate change; farmers; perception; rainfall; temperature