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The Impact of Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability on the Livelihood of Smallholder Farmers in Central Ethiopia

Author

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  • Dula Etana

    (College of Development Studies, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    Athena Institute of Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Denyse J. R. M. Snelder

    (Centre for International Cooperation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Cornelia F. A. van Wesenbeeck

    (Centre for World Food Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Tjard de Cock Buning

    (Athena Institute of Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Although most micro-level studies show the positive impact of adaptation on food security and household income, these are only a few of the outcomes adaptation is intended to achieve. Farmers’ livelihoods function in complex ways such that an understanding the multidimensional outcome of adaptation is important. These necessitate the use of multiple indicators in the evaluation of the impact of adaptation. Based on data collected from 810 randomly selected households in central Ethiopia, this study investigates the impacts of adaptation strategies on the sustainability of the livelihoods of farmers. The economic, social, and environmental outcomes were integrated to construct the Livelihood Sustainability Index. The endogenous switching regression model, which accounts for unobserved heterogeneity and possible endogeneity, was used to examine the impact of using adaptation strategies. With a mean score of 41, the farmers had lower levels of livelihood sustainability. Farmers switching crop type, diversifying crops, planting improved seeds, engaging in land management activities, and using irrigation had a higher livelihood sustainability index compared to the counterfactual case in which they did not use them. Non-farm employment and migration significantly increased livelihood sustainability for the using households. However, had these factors been used by the non-users, it would have resulted in reduced livelihood sustainability. Farmers using more than four adaptation strategies had more sustainable livelihoods than using fewer strategies. The findings affirm that adaptation contributes to livelihood improvement. However, since the farmers are far from achieving a higher level of sustainable livelihoods, policies shall focus on maximizing the returns to be obtained from using adaptation strategies. This includes improving access to ecosystem services through environmental protection measures, increasing production efficiency through improved access to and proper utilization of farm inputs, expanding irrigation facilities, creating decent employment opportunities, and enhancing farmers’ skills through entrepreneurial training.

Suggested Citation

  • Dula Etana & Denyse J. R. M. Snelder & Cornelia F. A. van Wesenbeeck & Tjard de Cock Buning, 2021. "The Impact of Adaptation to Climate Change and Variability on the Livelihood of Smallholder Farmers in Central Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6790-:d:575688
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    References listed on IDEAS

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