Local community response to adaptation strategies and coping mechanisms and factor influencing the adoption of these strategies in Belesa district, Ethiopia

Abstract

Climate change and variability have a severe impact on Ethiopia due to its reliance on rain-fed agriculture. This study assesses the adaptation strategies and coping mechanisms employed by farmers in the Belesa district. A mixed-methods approach is used, combining both probability and non-probability sampling techniques to select the study area and sample households, respectively. 133 households were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through interviews and a review of secondary resources. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a Binary Logit model to identify factors influencing the adoption of adaptation strategies in SPSS version 27.0. The results indicated that soil and water conservation, improved agricultural practices, agroforestry, and water management are critical strategies confirmed by farmers. Factors such as age, education, farming experience, and access to extension services significantly influence (p < 0.01) the adoption of these strategies. The study underscores the importance of targeted interventions and comprehensive research to enhance the resilience of Ethiopian agriculture to climate variability. Agricultural extension services play a pivotal role in promoting adoption across various practices. These findings contribute to understanding the socio-economic drivers of economic practice adoption and provide insights for policy interventions.