Climate change perceptions and adaptation responses among smallholder farmers across three locations in Megech Watershed, Ethiopia

IF 4 3区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Climate Services Pub Date : 2025-04-01 DOI:10.1016/j.cliser.2025.100566

Achenafi Teklay , Asrat Ayalew , Amanuel Abate , Masresha Ashenafi , Ashenafi Tadesse Marye , Assefa Tilahun , Haimanote K. Bayabil , Alemayehu Kassa , Hailu Birara , Kassaye Gurebiyaw , Kibruyesfa Sisay

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Climate change significantly affects smallholder farmers in Ethiopia who rely on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihoods. Farmers’ perceptions of climate change can modify their adaptation response decisions. However, there is limited knowledge about the key constraints that hinder the adoption of climate change measures in the Megech watershed. This research aimed to assess the smallholder farmers’ perception regarding climate change and the factors influencing their decision to adopt adaptation measures. This research employed a multi-stage sampling procedure to select a sample of 385 smallholder farmer households. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were designed to conduct a household survey and focus group discussion for data purposes. Furthermore, this study covered a comparison between the farmers’ perspectives on climate change and the observed climate trends. The data analysis was done by descriptive statistics and logistic regression equation. Results showed that the primary sources for most farmers to get information about climate change were extension workers, radio broadcasts, and religious institutions. The majority of farmers believed that climate change was attributed to deforestation, population growth, and industrialization. Almost all farmers were cognizant of the temperature rise, aligning with the observed trend. However, the perception of the farmers on declining rainfall aligns only with recent rainfall trends. Farmers in the downstream had more experience in adopting climate change resilience strategies than farmers in the mid and upstream. On average, 87% of the farmers applied adaptation measures, including intensive inputs (fertilizers), planting date changes, and improved varieties. The farmers’ adoption of adaptation strategies was hampered by challenges such as limited access to credit and high costs of agricultural inputs. The regression analysis revealed that age, education, extension and credit access, and livestock size significantly affected the decision to adopt adaptation measures. These findings may support policymakers in formulating location-based adaptation measures to enhance resilience to climate change.

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来源期刊

Climate Services Multiple-

CiteScore

5.30

自引率

15.60%

发文量

期刊介绍： The journal Climate Services publishes research with a focus on science-based and user-specific climate information underpinning climate services, ultimately to assist society to adapt to climate change. Climate Services brings science and practice closer together. The journal addresses both researchers in the field of climate service research, and stakeholders and practitioners interested in or already applying climate services. It serves as a means of communication, dialogue and exchange between researchers and stakeholders. Climate services pioneers novel research areas that directly refer to how climate information can be applied in methodologies and tools for adaptation to climate change. It publishes best practice examples, case studies as well as theories, methods and data analysis with a clear connection to climate services. The focus of the published work is often multi-disciplinary, case-specific, tailored to specific sectors and strongly application-oriented. To offer a suitable outlet for such studies, Climate Services journal introduced a new section in the research article type. The research article contains a classical scientific part as well as a section with easily understandable practical implications for policy makers and practitioners. The journal''s focus is on the use and usability of climate information for adaptation purposes underpinning climate services.