Climate Change Induced Shocks, Consequent Impacts, Vulnerability and Farmers Endeavor to Adapt in Northern Highland: Implication for Designing Household and Community Level Strategies

Abstract

\n BackgroundDespite future emissions, the world is already exposed to further warming, largely due to past emissions. If global society continues to emit greenhouse gases at current rates, the average global temperature could rise in alarming rate. The consequent shocks such as heat waves, sea level rises, storms, cyclones, flooding and droughts, which currently hit hard are also expected to be more severe and more frequent in the future across the globe. Its impacts will be very devastating to livelihoods of the world in general and farming community in particular. Therefore, adaptation appears as the best mechanisms to dampen vulnerability and increase capacity to resist to climate change.MethodologyMixed research approach i.e., qualitative and quantitative methods along with phenomenological design were used. While sample districts, elder farmers for focus group discussions and experts and development agents for intensive interviews were selected purposively, Kebeles and household heads for survey data selected using proportionate random sampling procedures. Quantitative data collected using semi-structured questionnaire were analysed using descriptive methods and index (Principal Component Analysis). Whereas, qualitative data collected using discussion and interview guiding checklists were transcribed, coded, organized with resembles and analysed thematically. Major findings & ConclusionIncrease in temperature, change in rainfall including shift in raining periods, shortage and variability of rain, frequent occurrence of drought, crop pests and animal disease were major branded climate change induced shocks in the area. Land degradation, low productivity of crop and animal production caused due to loss of soil fertility, crop pests, scarcity of pasture and water, and animal disease were the key consequent impacts of climate change induced shocks affected the livelihood. Vulnerability of farmers was very high. To reduce their vulnerability farmers employed many strategies: soil and water resource conservation practices, collecting hay, use of improved seed, fertilizer, pesticides and insecticides even if its use were very poor due to lack of finance. Farmers were at the edge of survival due to interconnected impacts.RecommendationsTherefore, government policies should emphasis on the provision of local context based farming technology packages, strengthening of watershed management practices and development and provision of well-coordinated early warning systems.