FARMERS’ PERCEPTION AND ADAPTATION MECHANISMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN OFFLA WOREDA OF TIGRAI REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

Climate change effect is the measure challenge in prone part of Ethiopia, particularly in the rural areas. Farmer’s have been practicing different adaptation mechanisms depending up on their perception. Research was done with the objective of assessing farmer’s perception and adaptation mechanisms in four Kebeles of OfflaWoreda, Tigrai Regional State. The design was cross sectional survey and non-probability purposive sampling was used to select target kebeles and stratification was applied for the age of the respondent. Both primary and secondary data were used for the analysis. The Primary data was collected in February 2014 from HH heads, key informant interview, field observation and focus group discussions. Hence, climate change perceptions, in relation to rainfall and temperature, have found to increase over 25 years in the study area. The temperature rise was much pronounced at the Weinadega (mid altitude) Kebele Fala, where 51.1 % of respondents felt it. Other Kebeles gave their rating as moderate. The 21 years metrological data analysis have revealed also minimum and maximum temperature has increased, annually by 0.030 ºc and 0.086 ºc, respectively. As to the rain fall 90.9% of the respondents have agreed that there was change in rainfall pattern and intensity over 25 years. The current mean for summer rainfall length is 3 months and it was 3.78 months 25 years ago. Hence, both crop and livestock have seen to be impacted by the climate variability over the years. Adaptation mechanism was done by practicing intensification through introducing improved variety and fertilizer, land use shift, diversification, selling of animals and eucalyptus tree, afforestation and introducing improved stoves. With regard to the predicaments that face to do adaptation measures in the study Kebeles shortage of money accounts 35%, lack of information 38.8%, man power 6.6%, shortage of income 5.5 % and combined effect 14.2%. Based on the triangulation, the metrological analyses have indicated agreements with HH heads survey on climate change perception and variability over 25 years. The same is true for the expert view, that climate is changing towards unfavorable condition. Hence, the study suggests holistic approach for better adaptation and mitigation measures from short and long-term policy perspectives.