“Determinants of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in case of West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia”

Abstract

The primary focus of this study was to analyze determinants of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in West Shoa, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Climate change is currently the main problem of the world as a whole and to Ethiopian economy to specific. The study was conducted by using primary data source gathered through questionnaire from randomly selected 300 households from total of 1194 population in three selected kebeles. The study employed descriptive statistics and Multinomial Probit econometric model due the dependent variable measured as categorical and overlapping responses of respondent. The descriptive analysis result revealed that majority of the households employed different adaptation strategies to adapt to adverse effects of climate change such as terracing as soil and water conservation strategy, Afforestation, fertilizer application, crop diversification with improved seeds, income diversification and livestock diversification. According to the result, reduction in agricultural production, health problem of society and landslide in the form of soil erosion are the most serious problems related to climate change. The Multinomial Probit model result depict that compared to base outcome (use of improved seed), education level, access to information and extension services, access to credit, policy selection, off-farm income and non-farm income of households are found to be significantly affecting variable on climate change adaptation strategies. Based on these findings, it is recommended that farmers prioritize adaptation strategies. Furthermore, improved access to information and credit services for farming households is crucial for effective climate change adaptation.