Factors affecting farm management adaptation strategies to climate change: The case of western Lake Tana and upper Beles watersheds, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is vulnerable to climate change and variability. This research investigates the factors that affect farm management adaptation strategies to climate change in west of Lake Tana and Beles river watersheds of Northwest Ethiopia. A survey was conducted collecting data from 338 households through a semi-structured interview schedule. To analyze the data, the multivariate probit model was used. The results indicated that market distance, frequency of extension services and oxen ownership have highly influenced the choice of crop management adaptation strategies to climate change. The likelihood of adopting short- mature crops, high yielding crop variety, and crop compost preparation was relatively higher (95%) as compared to the probability of adopting other strategies. The joint probabilities of success of the adaptation of the crop management adaptation strategies were 15%. Hence, households are more likely to jointly adopt the crop management climate change strategies. Similarly, age of household head, market distance, and oxen ownership were important characteristics affecting the farmers’ choice of animal management as climate change adaptation strategy. The likelihood of adopting hay preparation (89.4%), cut and carry system (77.4%), herd size determination (69.6%) and rotational grazing (67%) were also relatively higher as compared to other strategies. The joint probabilities of adaptation of animal management as climate change adaptation strategy was more likely to be applicable if adoption of the technologies (16.8%) were made jointly compared to their failure to jointly adopt them. Therefore, promoting complementary farm management adaptation practices and considering the socioeconomic factors are crucial to mitigate climate change vulnerability in the study area.