CROP SENSITIVITY TO INTER-ANNUAL CLIMATE VARIABILITY IN LAY GAYINT WOREDA, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Scientific evidence indicates that climate change has posed profound effects on the
wellbeing of citizens in countries throughout the world. Its impact is even stronger on the
poor having limited capacity to cope-up with it. In Ethiopia, climate change risks such as
droughts, floods and other extreme weather events have threatened the overall
sustainability of agricultural production and, in turn, the status of food security. The
objective of this study is to examine crop sensitivity to inter-annual climate variability in
Lay Gayint woreda, South Gondar Zone of Amhara Region. Simple regression and
drought susceptibility indices were used to analyze the data. The statistical analysis of
the climate data revealed an increase in temperature, and decrease and/or erratic
distribution in rainfall. Based on these findings the paper encourages strategies that
can enhance the ability of farmers and soil productivity. Additionally, water
conservation projects with the active participation of the rural communities are
considered as essential.