| Abstract: | Climate change is causing the greatest environmental, social and economic threats to all
humankind and across borders in many nations. Perception about the cause, impacts and
necessary response mechanisms to cope with the impact of climate calamities is important
for any population in a given community. In view of this fact, this study assesses local
smallholder farmers’ perception, focusing mainly on insight of the local people on climate
variability and change, its impact, their responses and barriers. The study also analysed
rainfall and temperature variability and its impact on agricultural crop production and
identifying the corresponding adaptation strategies employed by farmers in the study areas
(two sub districts/kebeles namely Kokeb and Yaá/Yabaldigis) of Maokomo Special district
found in South Western part of Benshangul Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. It relied on both
qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The methodologies
employed for primary data collection were Focus Group Discussions, interviews,
observation and household survey. The study also used historically recorded rainfall and
temperature data from 1979 to 2013. The analysis done on climate variability was
triangulated against results from the perception of local communities about the changing
climate of the area with reference to climate data from years 1979-2013.
The finding of the study showed that both maximum and minimum temperature had
increased, rainfall pattern has been variable through time whereas annual rainfall had
slightly decreased and showed inter annual variation. Local people perceived climate
variability and change-induced hazards such as erratic rainfall, pests and disease, significant
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forest fire, which have been negatively affecting their agricultural production, livelihood and
environment. The most common adaptation options include: change in cropping pattern,
growing short maturing crops, diversification of livelihood and rain water harvesting. |
