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Vulnerability to climate change among maize-dependent smallholders in three districts of Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Sisay B. Bedeke

    (Ghent University)

  • Wouter Vanhove

    (Ghent University)

  • Muluken G. Wordofa

    (University of Pavia)

  • Kolandavel Natarajan

    (Wolaita Sodo University)

  • Patrick Damme

    (Ghent University
    Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague)

Abstract

Climate change vulnerability may differ among small farming communities and depend on combinations of multiple social and biophysical processes. In this study, we assessed vulnerability to climate change among maize-dependent smallholders in three districts of Ethiopia. Household socio-demographic factors, land use system, access to food, natural hazard, livelihood strategy and social network data were collected and subsequently analysed by the livelihood vulnerability index and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Vulnerability Index approaches. Results show that within the same production system, smallholder farmers experience different degrees of climate change vulnerability. This variation in climate change vulnerability is highly and significantly explained by very localized socio-economic factors such as household educational level, access to drought-resistant crop varieties, extent of family ties with social groups and local organizations, and quality of rural water supply and health infrastructures along with biophysical factors like land size and soil fertility status. It is, therefore, suggested that recognizing smallholder farmers’ relative vulnerability to climate change provides a range of effective coping strategies that would help to better build household resilience capacity and promote sustainable livelihood development. Hence, policymakers and development organizations need to focus on better strengthening human and institutional capacity through enhanced education and continuous training on climate change impact, and efficient and sustainable intensification through crop rotation, fertilizer use, rainwater harvesting and farm diversification that increase productivity by restoring soil and agroecosystem health.

Suggested Citation

  • Sisay B. Bedeke & Wouter Vanhove & Muluken G. Wordofa & Kolandavel Natarajan & Patrick Damme, 2020. "Vulnerability to climate change among maize-dependent smallholders in three districts of Ethiopia," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 693-718, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:22:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s10668-018-0215-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-018-0215-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Titay Zeleke & Fekadu Beyene & Temesgen Deressa & Jemal Yousuf & Temesgen Kebede, 2021. "Vulnerability of Smallholder Farmers to Climate Change-Induced Shocks in East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, February.
    2. Shobha Subedi & Anup K C & Basanta Dahal & Ambika Ghimire, 2022. "Assessment of the vulnerability of farmers toward climate change: a case from Chitre-Parbat of Nepal," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 12(4), pages 756-768, December.
    3. Jiuhan Tang & Kangning Xiong & Yue Chen & Qi Wang & Bin Ying & Jiayi Zhou, 2022. "A Review of Village Ecosystem Vulnerability and Resilience: Implications for the Rocky Desertification Control," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Theodrose Sisay & Kindie Tesfaye & Mengistu Ketema & Nigussie Dechassa & Mezegebu Getnet, 2023. "Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies and Determinants of Farmers’ Adoption Decisions in the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-12, February.

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