Farmers' Perceptions of Climate Change and Its Agricultural Impacts in the Abay and Baro-Akobo River Basins, Ethiopia

Abstract

This article presents an assessment of farmers' perceptions of climate change and
its agricultural impacts in the Ethiopian portion of the Nile and Baro-Akobo river
basins. A total of 500 randomly selected households were interviewed from 15
kebeles in five woredas. three each from dega, woina-dega and kolla agroecologicaL
zones. In addition, focus group discussions and key informant
interviews were conducted in each kebele. Descriptive statisticJ and I and F tests
were used to summariz.e quantitative data. while qualitative data were organized
and used to augment the quantitalive analysis. Results indicate that a majority of
fanners perceived climate change as manifested in temperature and rainfall
changes. over the past two to three decades. Regarding agricultural impacts. 77%
of respondents staled having observed reduction. in crop production while 60%
observed reduction in the length of crop growing period. Similarly, 79%, 62% and
44% of respondents perceived increased incidence of insects, plant diseases. and
weeds, respectively. Also, about 59% of the respondems perceived shift of suitable
areas for major crops. The befg season production. in the traditionally belg
growing areas, has been almost totally abandoned. A higher proportion of
households in dega and kolla areas perceived negative agricultural impacts as
compared to those in ,.voina-dega, the difference being statistically Significant.
Similarly. statistically significant gender-based differences were observed in
perception of climate change and its agricultural impacts, where Ihe proportion of
females perceiving climate change was lower than that of males. II is concluded
that there is a need for identification and promotion of comnllmiry-based
adaptation measures that take into accolUlt local perceptions alld knowledge of
climate change and its multiple impacts.