Climate Change Perceptions, Impacts, and Adaptation Strategies in Mixed Crop–Livestock Systems of Ethiopia’s Lowlands

Climate change and variables pose a significant risk for agro-pastoral production systems, where mixed crop–livestock production is a primary livelihood strategy. Therefore, this study aims to analyze agro-pastoralists’ perceptions of climate change, the perceived impacts on their production systems, and the adaptation strategies used by mixed crop–livestock producers in the lowland areas of Ethiopia. Data was collected using household surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews. A survey was conducted in three major mixed crop–livestock producer woredas (Teltale, Yabello, and Gomole) with a total of 396 respondents. A multi-stage sampling approach was used for selecting the sample household for the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test. The study found that agro-pastoralists perceive climate change as a significant threat to their livelihoods. The results revealed that 95.9% and 91.4% of respondents across the three woredas perceived a decline in rainfall and increased temperatures, respectively. The most widely adopted adaptation strategies were livelihood diversification (96.4%), livestock diversification (89.3%), and crop diversification (70.4%). Notably, Teltale had the highest adoption rate of crop diversification, while Yabello exhibited a higher prevalence of non-farming activities. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance adaptive capacity, improve access to climate-smart technologies, and strengthen capacity for climate adaptation in mixed crop–livestock systems. This study contributes to climate risks, their impacts on their production systems, and the adaptation strategies for designing targeted interventions that enhance the resilience of mixed crop–livestock production systems in the face of climate change.