Climate change, food insecurity and household adaptation mechanisms in Amaro Ward, Southern Region of Ethiopia

Abstract

Climate change poses an increasing risk to the agricultural sector and the dynamics that underpin food security. It is one of the main driving forces of the current food insecurity problem in Ethiopia and in Amaro ward in particular. The objectives of this study were to: Examine the current household food security situation in Amaro ward of Ethiopia; identify the adaptation mechanisms deployed by residents of the ward in response to the negative effects of climate change; and ascertain the coping strategies of the households in the study area with respect to food insecurity. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the study area and 100 sample respondents. Data was collected using structured interview and focus group discussions. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to examine the food security situation. Weighted Average Score (WAS) was used to analyze the adaptation mechanisms to climate change and the coping strategies to food insecurity. The results showed that majority (80%) of the households were food insecure. Majority (93%) of the respondents also utilized adaptation strategies contentedly. However, majority of households (71%) had great difficulty coping with food insecurity while 29% coped with relative ease. Hence, adaptation to climate change and coping with food insecurity are important factors that determine the welfare of households in Amaro ward. Therefore, common indigenous strategies adopted by farmers like replanting, annual crop rotation, regular weeding, change of meal preferences and reduction of the frequency of feeding in the area should be augmented with modern adaptation and coping practices to minimize food insecurity.

Climate variability and agricultural productivity in Uganda

“…The turning point is observed when the coefficient of precipitation variability is 1.88. This U-shaped relationship between variability in precipitation and the total agricultural factor productivity is consistent with the results of earlier studies (such as Mendelsohn 2014;Abidoye et al 2017b;Ademe et al 2017;Baya et al 2019). For example, Baya et al (2019) argue that, as precipitation variability increases, farming households come to understand the weather changes and start to practise adaptation measures or strategies to minimise the effects of a varying climate, although this is sometimes unintended.…”

“…Crop production varies strongly with variability in temperature, wind and rainfall amounts received in a given area (Baya et al 2019;Sheng & Xu 2019). This relationship depends on the crop type and the location where the particular crop is grown (Ayinde et al 2017;Rötter et al 2018).…”

Does productive safety net program enhance livelihoods? Insights from vulnerable households in Wolaita zone, Ethiopia

“…These findings are consistent with previous studies on the PSNP’s impact on adaptive capacity. For example, a study by [ 32 ] found that the PSNP in Ethiopia had a limited impact on enhancing adaptive capacity, particularly in terms of diversifying livelihoods and increasing access to education and health services. Another study by [ 33 ] found that the PSNP had little impact on the adaptive capacity of rural households in Ethiopia, particularly in terms of reducing their vulnerability to shocks and stresses.…”

The psychosocial impact of climate change among smallholder farmers: a potential threat to sustainable development

“…Severe food shortages forced farmers to borrow. Borrowing is detestable and reproachful in societies ( Baya et al, 2019 ). Thus, farmers suffered embarrassment and humiliation and sometimes subjected to ridicule and gossip from fellow community members.…”