Determinants of Climate Change Mitigation Strategies for Agricultural Production in Ethiopia

Abstract This study examined the determinants of climate change mitigation strategies for agricultural production in Ethiopia, emphasizing the factors influencing farmers’ adoption of mitigation practices. A quantitative research approach was employed using a descriptive and explanatory research design. Data were collected from 790 smallholder farmers across three major regions Amhara, Oromia, and Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR) selected to represent diverse agro-ecological zones. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and their adoption of climate change mitigation strategies. The results revealed that 97.6% of respondents observed significant impacts of climate change on their farming practices, primarily due to increased drought frequency, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and rising temperatures. The most commonly adopted mitigation strategies included changing crop varieties (61.9%), intercropping (56.1%), and adjusting planting dates (51.6%), while practices such as irrigation (10.3%), crop rotation (38.1%), and minimum tillage (27.1%) were less frequently employed. Factors such as age, education level, access to credit, extension services, training, and information significantly influenced the adoption of mitigation strategies. The study concludes that climate change poses a serious threat to Ethiopia’s agricultural production, necessitating the strengthening of farmers’ adaptive and mitigation capacities. It recommends enhancing agricultural extension services, improving access to timely climate information, promoting financial and policy incentives, investing in research and innovation, and integrating mitigation initiatives into national agricultural and climate policies. Strengthening farmers’ cooperatives and local institutions is also essential for ensuring collective action and sustainable agricultural resilience.