Drivers and barriers of climate change adaptation among smallholder farmers in the Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Climate change creates enormous hardship, particularly for rural farmers whose livelihoods rely on rain-based agriculture. To assist farmers in addressing climate change, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence their decision-making regarding adaptation. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify factors influencing farm households' adaptation choices in southern Ethiopia. To collect quantitative data, a cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving 371 randomly selected households. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations were used to gather qualitative data, complemented by a thorough review of relevant academic publications and reports. The limitation of empirical evidence on farm households' choices of climate change adaptation strategies in the study area prompted the initiation of this research. The study employed descriptive statistics and the Multivariate Probit Model to investigate the factors driving adaptation attempts and the barriers impeding them. Among several climate change adaptation choices, seasonal migration was the most common among households, accounting for 52.6%. Other strategies, such as conservation tillage (51.5%) and drought-resistant crops (49.3%), were also commonly utilized, with shifting planting dates and irrigation following closely behind (48.2% and 38.3%). Several socioeconomic, environmental, and institutional factors significantly influence the adoption of various climate change adaptation approaches in the study area. Thus, policies and programs aimed at reducing the effects of climate change should consider the critical roles of driving factors, collaborating indigenous communities by providing financial support, technical training, and formal recognition of traditional wisdom to promote their adaptation strategies.