Climate change and variability impacts on food security of smallholder farmers in Assosa District, Ethiopia

Abstract Ethiopia is one of the most vulnerable countries of the sub- Saharan Africa to the impacts of climate change and variability. The impact is even stronger in arid and semi-arid areas on smallholder farmers of the country. However, studies on the actual climate change and variability dynamics and its effect on food security at household levels are limited. This study took Assosa district as a case study and analyzed changes in local climate; status of household food security; the relative significance of climate related causes on food insecurity; and household level determinants of food security. Rainfall, temperature and socioeconomic data were collected from 312 sample households. Using Mann-Kendall trend test, the study revealed the existence of statistically significant declining trend in rainfall in the rainy season and increasing trend in temperature at annual and seasonal time scale. The logistic regression result based on household food insecurity and access scale showed high prevalence of food insecurity in the district. Among other things, the study suggested improving climate change awareness and strengthening the existing adaptation measures that have positive impacts on food security.