Analysis of Smallholder Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change and Variability and It’s Implication for Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices

Abstract

The study was conducted in three distinct agro-ecologies in Geze Gofa Woreda in Gamo Gofa zone, southern Ethiopia. A multi stage sampling procedure followed to select sample respondent households and the total sample size of the study was 138 households.  This study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Primary data were collected by using semi-structured interview schedule, focus group discussion (FGDs) and key informant interviews. Logistic regression model was used to estimate household demographic, socio-economic, institutional and geophysical   factors that determine the farmers’ perception of climate change and variability in the area.. From the findings of the logistic analyses, the local socio-economic, institutional and agro-ecological and the information on weather and climate were significant in determining the likelihood of a good perception and knowledge of climate change and variability.Though the majority of the responders perceived climate change 62.56 percent of the total respondents adopted climate change-smart agricultural practices such as while the remaining 37.5 percent had not adapted any climate change-smart agricultural practices. This could imply that though perception is the frontline prerequisite sequentially for adoption of climate change-smart agricultural practices decisions, it is not cure-all alone.