ABSTRACT
In recent years, Conservation Agriculture is promoted as better adaptation mechanism in the face of changing climatic conditions. In Ethiopia it has been piloted in various parts of the country as fast-track response. However, the adoption status and contribution of the program is not well studied and documented. The current study was therefore conducted in Gimbi district on CA pilot project to fill this gap.
The research followed mixed approach of collecting both qualitative and quantitative data. A total of 154 representative sample households were randomly selected for the quantitative survey. Moreover, focus group and key informants were used to clarify any ambiguities encountered during survey data collection. The data analysis employed both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study revealed that minimum tillage, crop residue and crop rotation were the most common CA practices used to prevail through changing climatic conditions. However, there are many challenges to implementing CA in the study area. Among the challenges were perceptions of non adopter farmers as tillage is necessary for high crop production regardless of tillage intensity, insufficient affordable and locally produced equipment, limited knowledge and experience with CA practices, the perception that CA worsens weed, pest and disease infestation, and limitations with respect to the policy environment and extension services. As a solution, several CA technologies have been promoted to improve soil fertility, increase soil moisture content, increase productivity and climate change adaptation. In fact, 100 % of CA farmers indicated that they would continue to practice CA after the end of the project period. Additionally, the adoption of CA technology improves farmer’s profit and eventually contributes towards reducing poverty and keeping environment clean. Finally, it is very important to giving serious attention to design policies and strategies that address problems associated with the adoption of CA based CA principles, the strategies should consider improved and disease resistance varieties of seed.
Key Words: Conservation Agriculture, Climate change adaptation, Adopter, Non-adopter, Gimbi
