Understanding Farmers' Perception on Climate Change and Adaptation Strategies in Karetha Watershed, Omo-gibe Basin, Ethiopia

Background and Objective: The change in amount and characteristics of rainfall and increase in temperature influence agricultural activities in Ethiopia. Various techniques and efforts have been practiced to adapt the problems of climate variability. This study aimed to assess farmers perception on climate change and their adaptation efforts in Karetha watershed. Materials and Methods: A multi-stage sampling procedure was applied in Karetha watershed. The watershed was categorized into low, middle and high elevation areas. From each category, three rural kebeles namely Subo Tulama, Ela Bacho and Gessa Chare were selected respectively. A total of 125 households were selected randomly. The collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics in SPPS (version 20) software. Results: In the three considered agro-ecological areas, all respondents perceived a higher temperature when compared with the situation in the past. Fluctuation in rainfall also perceived as an evidence of climate change by 94% of respondents in the highland areas. Eighty-seven and 85% of respondents in lowland (Subo Tulama) and middle area (Ela Bacho) respectively perceived decline of rainfall. As responded by majority of interviewees in the considered agro-ecological areas, deforestation was major driver of the climate change. In response to the perceived climate change, majority of farmers tried to adapt the threat by practicing soil and water conservation, tree planting, livestock management, planting tolerant and fast growing crop variety, changing crop sowing time and selling assets. Conclusion: The study showed that farmers judged prevalence of climate change based on perceived alteration on temperature and rainfall and exerted effort to abate the resulting consequences on their ecosystem and economic wellbeing.