IMPACTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON TEFF [ERAGROSTIS TEF (Zucc.) Trotter] PRODUCTIVITY AND FARMERS’ ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN TOKE KUTAYE DISTRICT, CENTRAL ETHIOPA

Climate variability impacts are the biggest concern of developing countries like Ethiopia, with economic system dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Assessment of the impact of climate variability on agriculture might help to properly anticipate and adapt farming condition for maximized productivity. The overall objective of the present study was therefore to analyze the impacts of climate variability on teff [Eragrostis Tef (Zucc.)Trotter] productivity and adaptation strategies used by farmers in Toke Kutaye district. Purposive and systematic random sampling techniques were applied to select three kebeles based on teff production potential and 123 households were randomly selected. The primary data were collected through household survey, interviews, and focus group discussions. Besides, rainfall and temperature data of 21 years (1998-2018) were collected from National Meteorological Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia, whereas teff productivity data was collected from Ambo Plant Protection Research Center. Data of adaptation strategies assessment was generated through household survey by employing semi-structured interviews with 123 respondents of three kebeles. Data were analyzed by INSTAT plus (v3.36), XLSTAT 2014 and SPSS to determine mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation (CV) and correlation and multiple regressions. The result revealed that monthly rainfall totals showed decreasing trend except for May, June, and August, whereas seasonal and annual rainfall totals (CV= 24.8) were moderately variable. Annual and belg rainfall totals showed a statistically non-significant decreasing trend whereas; kiremt rainfall total had an increasing trend in the study area for a period of 1998-2018. The earliest onset date of the rainy season or kiremt at Toke Kutaye was 149 DOY (May 28) while the latest date was 211 DOY (July 29) with less variability. The mean lengths of growing period (LGP) for belg and kiremt seasons were 107.2 and 76.5 days, respectively. Probability of experiencing dry spells of 5,7,10 and 15 days were > 25%, >10%, 0% and 0%, during kiremt season. The result of annual and seasonal temperature analysis showed increasing pattern for both maximum and minimum temperature. Similarly, monthly minimum temperature also showed greater variability compared to maximum temperature. The CV % of annual maximum and minimum temperature was 1.4 and 5.4, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the coefficient of determination (R2 ) was 0.70 (i.e. 70. % of variation in teff productivity is explained by the climatic parameters jointly). The survey data showed that the households used multiple climate variability adaptation strategies such as changing planting dates (44.7%), Soil and water conservation practices (33.3%), Crop rotation (26.02 %), Adjusting the level and timing of fertilizer application (16.2%) and changing crop varieties (12.2%). More research is needed to explore more factors that may enhance productivity of teff and improve adaptation of the farmers against climate variability in the study area.