Assessing Determinants of Household Food Security and Adaptation strategies to Perceived Climate Variability among Agro-Pastoral Households in Laasgeel District, Maroodijeex Region, Somaliland

A study was conducted in Darasalaam district, to assess determinants of household food security and adaptation strategies to perceived climate variability among agro-pastoral households. Purposive sampling techniques were used and a total of 190 households were selected. The study employed a quantitative research design using cross-sectional data that incorporates both qualitative and quantitative data. The date was collected through interview and focus group discussions. Ten years meteorological data were used as a secondary data. Food security status of households was calculated using the calorie intake. Descriptive and inferential statistics together with the logit regression model were the analytical tools employed during the study. The result reveals that vast majority of agro-pastoralists 97.9%, were perceived and believed that climate is changing. Similarly over 95% of the respondents reported that drought and changing precipitation levels caused by climate change was the major factor depressing livestock, while 67.2% had lost their crop yield. In the study area maximum average temperature has been increased at the rate of 2.8 ◦C, while amount of precipitation showed a sharp decline 20.2 mm for the past decade. According to the climate change adaptation strategies herd migration was dominant 47.3%. Household income, distance from the market, cultivated land size and extension services were found to be statistically significant to food security at a probability level (P < 0.5). The study concludes unfavorable climatic conditions combined with the lack of coping strategies has, adversely affects the household’s food security.