Perception Of Climate Change And Livelihood Of A Farming Community Of Maruf Kebele, Central Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

The farmers’ perception of climate change and their response was documented in Maruf Kebele of Central Oromia, Ethiopia with questionnaire survey, focus group discussion and field observation. Over hundred randomly selected households were included; the community typically includes a large proportion of small holder farmers from poorly equipped, land scarce households with low education and economic status. The results indicated that farmers had a good understanding and perception of the impacts of climate change at the local level; many negative impacts of the climate irregularity had been identified by the community, like reduced crop yield, heating/drying up of environment and soil loss affecting natural plant regeneration from the forest soil seed bank, drying up of streams and springs, disappearance of trees and plants, rarity of wild animals and increasing pests/diseases. Farmers were observed to diversify their livelihood options as part of responding to irregularities in the local weather and adopting a number of steps to change agricultural practices. The results indicate the importance of understanding of community perception in designing policies and projects for effective adaptation strategies allowing local participation to cope with the impacts of climate change.