Climate change impacts on household food security and adaptation strategies in southern Ethiopia

Adisu Mekonnen; Ayele Tessema; Zerhun Ganewo; Ashenafi Haile

doi:10.1002/fes3.266

journal article Open Access Dec 04, 2020

Climate change impacts on household food security and adaptation strategies in southern Ethiopia

Adisu Mekonnen Ayele Tessema Zerhun Ganewo Ashenafi Haile

Food and Energy Security Vol. 10 No. 1 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/fes3.266

Abstract

AbstractClimate change is predicted to adversely affect agricultural yields, particularly in African countries such as Ethiopia, where crop production relies heavily on environmental factors such as rainfall and temperature. However, there have only been a limited number of studies on the effects of climate change dynamics on food security in Africa, particularly at the household level. We therefore analyzed local climatic changes, the status of household food security, climate‐related causes of food insecurity, food security determinants, and the adaptation strategies of local farmers. Three decades meteorological data were analyzed. A total of 185 farmers were selected using simple random sampling and interviewed, together with focus groups. Data were analyzed using the descriptive and inferential statistics together with the logit regression model. Climate change over the last three decades was found to have a negative impact on the food security status of households. Crop production was constrained by poor rainfall, severe erosion, and increases in temperature. The unpredictability of rainfall, pests, and diseases were also contributing factors. Using the calorie intake approach, 60.5% of sampled respondents were found to be food insecure. Analysis using the logistic regression model showed that age and family size, as well as the amount of cultivated land and rainfall, were the significant (p < .05) factors influencing household food security status. A large proportion (69.8%) of farmers were incorporating adapting strategies into farm management including improved use of crop varieties and livestock production, in addition to income diversification. Taken together, these findings show that improving climate change awareness, facilitating the participation of female‐led households in income generation, and strengthening existing adaptation measures have positive impacts on food security.

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Metrics

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References

Details

Published: Dec 04, 2020
Vol/Issue: 10(1)
License: View

Authors

A

Adisu Mekonnen

Food Security and Early Warning Expert Aleta Chuko District Ethiopia

A

Ayele Tessema

Faculty of Environment, Gender and Development Studies Hawassa University Hawassa Ethiopia

Z

Zerhun Ganewo

Faculty of Environment, Gender and Development Studies Hawassa University Hawassa Ethiopia

A

Ashenafi Haile

School of Plant and Horticultural Sciences Hawassa University Hawassa Ethiopia

Cite This Article

Adisu Mekonnen, Ayele Tessema, Zerhun Ganewo, et al. (2020). Climate change impacts on household food security and adaptation strategies in southern Ethiopia. Food and Energy Security, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.266

Climate change impacts on household food security and adaptation strategies in southern Ethiopia

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