FARMERS’ PERCEPTION OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY, ASSOCIATED RISKS, AND LOCAL ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN GURSUM DISTRICT, EAST HARARGHE ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Climate variability is among the main challenges of agricultural production in Ethiopia. That was the only finding presented on the “perception of farmers on climate variability and risks” the changes at local level help decision makers to develop context-specific local adaptation strategies. Therefore, this study was designed to assess local climate variability, farmers’ perception of variability and its adverse effects; and local adaptation strategies in Gursum district. In order to achieve this objective, primary data were collected from a stratified kebeles based on agroecology, selected total of 348 sample households from three kebeles through survey questionnaire. These data were supplemented by focus group discussion and key informant interview. Furthermore, long-term climate data were obtained from National Meteorology Institute of Ethiopia, Jigjiga branch. The mean annual rainfall was 652.1 mm with a coefficient of (CV) of 31.1% and a standard deviation (SD) of 202.9 mm. The mean rainfall of kiremt (main rainy season) was 357.5 mm and a CV of 38.9% and SD of 117.7 mm while the mean rainfall of belg (small rainy season) was 253.6 mm with a CV of 32.9%, SD of 117.7 mm. Moreover, bega season mean rainfall was CV of 106.4% which showed extreme variability in study area. The mean monthly temperature ranged between 17.7 0C and 20.8 0C. The highest mean temperature of the month was in the month of April and May (20.8°C) and xv the lowest mean monthly temperature was in August. The descriptive statistics result showed that 84.5% of respondents agreed that annual temperature has increased in the last two decades and 48.6% concurred that annual rainfall was decreasing. There were five major local adaptation strategies in the study area. Soil and Water Conservation practices 76.7% were employed by crop diversification by (81%), and agro-forestry by (79.3%), improve crop variety by (82.8%) and adjustment of planting dates by (75.9%) of the respondents.