FARMERS' PERCEPTION ON THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON CROP PRODUCTION AND THEIR ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN ADOLA REDE WOREDA, OROMIYA, ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT This study was designed to identify level of awareness of farmers on the effect of climate variability on crop production and their adaptation strategies in Adola Rede Woreda, Oromiya, Ethiopia. Climate variability is expected to directly influence on crop production. The aim of the study was to examine spatiotemporal variability of climate on crop production in Adola Rede Woreda. Data on climate were obtained from Adola metrological stations from 2006-2018. Farmers’ perception data was obtained through questionnaire from 123 farmers of the study area. Quantitative data analyses were made by SAI formula (Z= ( )) that examines the trend between climate variables and farmers’ perception on climate variability and crop production. And qualitative data were collected through focused group interview. The major finding of the study is that farmers of the study area have identified the potential impacts of climate variability on crop production. They felt that although there are other important factors affecting crop production, variability of rainfall (the onset and offset) and temperature has been the major factors affecting crop production. Cognizant of the potential impacts farmers of the study area have been doing their level best to overcome the challenges through adopting different climate variability adaptation strategies.