Farmers' climate change adaptation options and their determinants in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Exploring micro-level evidences is critical to fine tune effective adaptation options to cope with the adverse impact of climate change. In this regard, detailed studies on climate change adaptation options are not available in the study areas. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess farmers’ climate change adaptation options and determinant factors that influence their choice. Data were collected from 253 respondents randomly using probability proportional to the sizes (PPS) of the population of each district and peasant association from which sample households to be drawn. Descriptive statistics were employed to assess adaptation options while the multinomial logit model (MNL) was used to identify factors influencing households’ choices. The results revealed that farmers use change in crop type /variety, soil and water conservation practices, crop diversification, change in planting date and irrigation practices as climate change adaptation options. Educational level of the household head, age of the household head, sex of the household head, farm income, access to extension service, access to credit, access to climate information and agro-ecological settings were the most important determinant factors that affect significantly the choice of farmers to climate change adaptations. Therefore, an effort that enhances farmers’ awareness to climate change and creates the capacity to adopt climate resilient options is an important strategy that should be considered by a variety of societal groups, including policy makers, and farmers support organizations.