Abstract
Climate change and variability are worldwide phenomena that could exert an adverse impact on agriculture mainly on crop production. The impacts create serious challenges especially in developing countries including Ethiopia. Emba Alaje district, in southern Tigray, is among the highly vulnerable areas of Ethiopia. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the trend of climate variability and change as well as their impacts on crop production; as well as identify perceptions and adaptation options used by smallholder farmers’ in the area. The study employed a stratified random sampling technique and multiple-stage sampling procedure to collect qualitative and quantitative data using interview schedules, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions.
Accordingly, primary data were collected from 365 respondents selected from three kebeles. Secondary data on long term rainfall and temperature were accessed from NMA. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods with the help of SPSS software version 20 and Microsoft Excel. The study results indicated that long term seasonal and annual rainfalls in the area are variable with a decreasing trend, whereas the temperature is significantly increasing. The survey also indicated that crop production declining and becoming highly variable mainly due to the impacts of climate variability and change. However, the negative impacts of climate change vary among crop types/or and varieties depending on drought and pest resistance and growing agroecology as well as fertility and water holding capacity of the soil. Moreover, the results showed that most of the farmers perceive the existence of climate change and its effects on crop production. The findings also revealed that changes in crop type/or and variety along with proper soil and water conservation are the most important climate change adaptation options practiced in the area, despite some respondents are not still practicing any of the adaptation strategies due to limited financial capacity to practice. Education level, age, gender of household head, wealth status, extension service, and meteorological information were also influencing the use of one or combination of climate change adaptation strategies. The results revealed that awareness creation and knowledge generation among the farming community as well as proper financial support to implement suitable adaptation options are vital requirements to reduce the negative impacts of climate change and variability and improve crop productivity. Therefore, it is important to timely establish meteorological stations and generate meteorological advisory services along with credit facilities to enhance crop production in the study area.
Keywords: climate change, climate variability, Adaptation options, and crop production.
