Climate variability perceptions and adaptation response to ensure household food security in Borana zone, Southern Ethiopia

Purpose The study aims to examine perceptions of pastoral and agro-pastoral household climate variability and adaptation responses to ensure food security in the Boran Zone, Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach A mixed research design was used to gain comprehensive insights into the perceptions and adaptation responses of pastoral and agro-pastoral households, aiming to ensure their food security. Quantitative data were gathered from a randomly selected sample of 417 pastoral and agro-pastoral households in the Borana zone. Additionally, qualitative data were obtained from purposely selected key informants and focus group discussion participants. The study used both descriptive and econometric analysis methods. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, percentages and frequency, along with statistical tests, such as chi-square and t-test, were used to assess the perceptions of pastoral and agro-pastoral households and the impact of adaptation on food security. Furthermore, a multivariate probit model was applied to identify determinants influencing climate variability adaptation responses. The endogenous switching regression (ESR) model was used to evaluate the effect of adaptation responses on the food security status of households. Findings The result reveals that majority of respondents (94.7% and 83.9%) perceived an increase in temperature and drought frequency, respectively, while 87.8% observed a decrease in rainfall. Notably, households perceiving drought exhibited better food security statuses, highlighting the positive influence of perceptions on food security. Both pastoral and agro-pastoral households used various adaptation measures, including destocking, feed storage, haymaking, drought-resistant livestock varieties, index-based livestock insurance, water and soil conservation, early maturing crop varieties and savings, to ensure food security. Moreover, the study suggests that specific adaptation strategies are linked to households’ perceptions of temperature increase, rainfall decrease and drought frequency. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the deep understanding of climate change and extreme behavior among pastoral and agro-pastoral households. It concludes that the food security situation of these households is influenced by their perceptions of climate change and their adaptation responses. Therefore, interventions focused on raising awareness and identifying feasible adaptation responses could enhance their resilience to climate change. Additionally, improving access to basic infrastructures for pastoral and agro-pastoral households is deemed crucial for enhancing their adaptive capacity. Research limitations/implications It concludes that the food security situation of these households is influenced by their perceptions of climate change and their adaptation responses. Therefore, interventions focused on raising awareness and identifying feasible adaptation responses could enhance their resilience to climate change. Additionally, improving access to basic infrastructures for pastoral and agro-pastoral households is deemed crucial for enhancing their adaptive capacity. Originality/value The study is prepared using primary data in the Boran zone, Ethiopia and, hence, provides a perspective on climate change adaptation to ensure food security.