Factors Affecting Adoption of Climate Change and Variability Adaptation Strategies on Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from Senan District, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia has been experiencing serious challenges due to climate change and variability. Hence, investigating factors influencing farmers’ climate change adaptation strategies is very important. This study intended to investigate determinants of climate change adaptation strategies in Senan district (woreda), Northwest Ethiopia. The study employed a mixed research design. Survey data were collected from 124 sample household heads and interviews were conducted with office heads, team leaders and Development Agents. FGDs were undertaken with Kebele administrators and woreda experts. Descriptive statistics; such as percentage, mean, standard deviation; and inferential statistics i.e. independent t-test and chi-square test were used to identify determinants of climate change adaptation strategies. Binary logistic regression model was used to show positive and negative determinant factors. As the result, age, educational level, economic level, extension support, credit access, perception, family size, and farming experience were significant factors and others were not. As binary logistic regression result revealed, education, economic level, extension support, credit access, perception, and family size were positive significant factors, but age and farming experience were negatively significant in adaptation strategies of climate change. This shows that the adaptation strategies are affected by different factors. Thus, capacity building trainings should be given; extension services should be enhanced; and collaboration with NGOs should be strengthened.