Coping and adaptation role of Rhamnus prinoides-based indigenous agroforestry practice to climate variability among smallholder farmers in the drylands of Northern Ethiopia
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Climate variability impacts are observed and expected to increase in the future, particularly in drylands. Continuous exposure to climate variability problems has prompted farmers to develop effective local coping and adaptation strategies. This study investigates the contribution of Rhamnus prinoides-based indigenous agroforestry practices by smallholders in coping with and adapting to climate variability in the drylands of Tigray, Ethiopia. Data was collected through questionnaires from 191 randomly selected households. Descriptive statistics were used to assess farmers’ perceptions of climate variability and evaluate the coping and adaptation role of R. prinoides agroforestry. Poisson and binomial models were used to identify determinants of the number and choice of coping and adaptation strategies of farmers. Farmers’ perceptions coincided with the actual climate data regarding increased variability of rainfall. R. prinoides-based agroforestry was widely practiced (70.2%) and played a significant role in coping with and adapting to climate variability impacts through bridging seasonal income shortfalls, maximizing production, and stabilizing and sustaining the productivity of smallholder farmers. It was complementary with other coping and adaptation strategies and served as the main source of cash income that could be invested in the purchase of improved varieties. The number and choice of coping and adaptation strategies used by smallholder farmers were significantly influenced by landholding size, farm fertility, farm fragmentation, tenure security, family size, climate awareness, age and education of household head. Thus, farming systems that incorporate trees/shrubs such as R. prinoides agroforestry could enhance the coping and adaptation capacity of smallholder farmers in the drylands.
期刊介绍:
Agroforestry Systems is an international scientific journal that publishes results of novel, high impact original research, critical reviews and short communications on any aspect of agroforestry. The journal particularly encourages contributions that demonstrate the role of agroforestry in providing commodity as well non-commodity benefits such as ecosystem services. Papers dealing with both biophysical and socioeconomic aspects are welcome. These include results of investigations of a fundamental or applied nature dealing with integrated systems involving trees and crops and/or livestock. Manuscripts that are purely descriptive in nature or confirmatory in nature of well-established findings, and with limited international scope are discouraged. To be acceptable for publication, the information presented must be relevant to a context wider than the specific location where the study was undertaken, and provide new insight or make a significant contribution to the agroforestry knowledge base