Climate Variability And Its Local Perception And Adaptation Measures In Weliso Woreda, Ethiopia, East Africa

Climate variability (CV) is continued to cause greatest environmental, social and economic threats to mankind. Perception on the status of CV and its adaptive mechanism is the call of the day to come up with scientific recommendation for sustainable livelihood. The study assesses major features, of CV, and local perception on its features, causes, indicators and adaptation strategies in Weliso Wereda, Oromiya Regional State, Ethiopia. Three randomly selected kebeles are used where semi-structured interview with 180 sample household heads, 6 focus group discussions, 10 key informant interviews, and frequent field observations were conducted to collect primary data. Rainfall and temperature data of the last decade (from 2004 to 2013) used to understand CV. The finding of the study showed slight variability in temperature and rainfall. Local people perceived the prevalence of CV and also identified its indicators: flooding; drying up of rivers and streams, crop damage by pests; introduction of new human and animal disease; species shift to upper altitude, and introduction of new plant and animal species; rainfall variability in duration and amount; etc. They devised mechanical and biological conservation measures upon farm lands; watershed management; rain water harvest; changes in cropping pattern; growing short maturing crops; family planning and livelihood diversification as adaptation measures. Such endeavours are challenged by poverty and food insecurity, lack of access to land, water, market, finance, insurance, information, health, and agricultural technologies. This calls for improvement in agricultural production; capacity building on existing knowledge and practices of the people; training and awareness on rainwater harvesting technologies; strengthening access to social, institutional, financial, human and natural assets of livelihood, integrated watershed management, and sustainable environmental and livelihood development programmes.