Climate information services and its determinants among smallholder farmers in Sidama Region, southern Ethiopia

• Timely weather prediction improves farmers decision in agricultural Activities. • 50% of the farmers have access to Climate information Service and only 33.9% utilized. • Utilization of CIS differ considerably varies among the agro-ecological zones. • Lowlanders are evidenced more utilizers of Climate Information Services. • Enhancing productivity requires stakeholders’ collaboration to provide basic CIS . Climate information services (CIS) are essential for the agricultural sector, empowering farmers to effectively adapt to climate-induced challenges and make informed decisions. This study explored the status of CIS and utilization among smallholder farmers in Sidama region, Ethiopia. Data was collected through household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observation. Multi-stage sampling techniques were applied and purposefully selected three woredas (districts), from three different agroecological zones. 384 households were selected using a systematic random sampling. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive, qualitative analysis, chi-square tests, and a binary logistic regression model. The results indicated a moderate status of know-how and access to CIS with 50.8% of farmers having access to the CIS, of which only 33.9% actively utilized the information. The primary sources for CIS are agricultural extension officers, radio, television, mobile phones, peer farmers, and village leaders. In the Low lands (39.6%), midland (36.9%), and highland only 18.9% of the sample households utilized the services. The low landers where moisture stress is significant, farmers are more interested in utilizing CIS comparatively. The result also proves that the most prominent factors hindering the utilization of CIS are farmers’ education level, farm size, availability of credit, access to extension services, and absence of social protection services, income level, market access, and trust in the provided information. To enhance productivity, stakeholders including local and regional governments and agricultural extension services in collaboration with meteorological service providers should focus on improving the availability, accessibility, reliability, and utilization of CIS.