The Effect of Rainfall variability on Crop Production and Adaptation Strategies in North West Ethiopia: A case of Gondar Zuria Woreda

Abstract

Agricultural activities depend on the physical, economic and social resources to moderate, or adapt, subsistence agriculture. Ethiopia in general, the study area in particular seems to be vulnerable to the effects of rainfall variability. This is in part due to the fact that the majority of the population depends on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihood. The main objective of this research was to examine the effects of rainfall variability on crop production and identify adaptation strategies. In order to deal with the objective three kebeles were selected randomly and data were collected by using direct observation, household questionnaire survey, interviews, focus group discussion, and interviews. Secondary data from published and unpublished sources were also gathered to supplement the primary data. The collected data were systematically analyzed by using both qualitative and quantitative methods such as chi-square, spearmen rank order correlation coefficient etc. Results confirm that most of the interviewed farmers perceived the changes in rainfall; the majority (51.3%) believed that rainfall has decreased on the other hand, (43.3%) of the respondents responded that these days rainfall amount is unpredictable and the remaining (5.4%) reported that there is no change in amount of rainfall. As a result of these, farmers ’have been taking corrective actions to offset the effects of rainfall variability. The most common adaptation options include: soil and water conservation, charcoal burning for commercial purpose, planting tree, irrigation, planting drought tolerant crops, temporary (seasonal)migration, saving and rain water harvesting. Financial constraints, lack of scientific knowledge, lack of inputs, lack of appropriate skills, lack of professional skill and lack of information were identified as barriers to adaptation options. The result revealed that the responses of framers’ and developmental agent (DA) were highly correlated. Because t=calculated is less than (1.375) t=critical (2.194). Adaptation strategies, Climate change, Perception, Rainfall variability