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Determinants of farmers’ decision to engage in non-farm adaptation strategies to climate change in Lake Tana and Upper Beles River Watersheds, Northwest Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Astewel Takele

    (Bahir Dar University)

  • Assefa Abelieneh

    (Bahir Dar University)

  • Beneberu Assefa Wondimagegnhu

    (Policy Studies Institute of Ethiopia)

  • Mezgebu Ashagrie

    (Bahir Dar University)

Abstract

Non-farm adaptation strategies offer an alternative approach to addressing the impacts of climate change, particularly in landscapes characterized by lakes, rivers, watersheds, and restoring activities. Despite their potential, non-farm approaches have received limited attention compared to farm-level strategies in climate change adaptation discussions. This study examines smallholder farmers’ non-farm adaptation strategies to climate change in the Lake Tana and Beles River watersheds. It analyses the socioeconomic factors influencing farmers' decisions to engage in these practices based on a survey of 338 randomly selected farmers. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U test) and a multivariate probit model. The findings reveal that the most common methods used by farmers to adopt climate change strategies include handcraft activities (9.8%), wage employment (18.9%), mini-hotel services (12.72%), petty trade (16.27%), saving (44.08%), physical asset building (47.34%), and use of fuel-saving technologies (76.63%). The marginal success probability results showed that the likelihood of implementing fuel-saving technologies (77.7%), physical asset-building practices (49.2%), and small trade activities (16.8%) was higher than the probability of implementing other non-farm adaptation strategies. The results revealed that farmers' decisions to employ non-farm adaptation strategies are negatively impacted by gender, education level, family size, and extension services, while the impact of market distance is positive. However, livestock ownership had a dual effect on non-farm adaptation practices at a different level of significance. The study recommends actions that require training for female-headed households empowerment, capacity building on handcraft skills development for improved production, and improvement of the extension methodology to minimize vulnerability to climate change risks. Furthermore, facilitating infrastructure such as marketing services and careful choice and application of non-farm adaptation technologies have been essential to minimize climate shocks in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Astewel Takele & Assefa Abelieneh & Beneberu Assefa Wondimagegnhu & Mezgebu Ashagrie, 2025. "Determinants of farmers’ decision to engage in non-farm adaptation strategies to climate change in Lake Tana and Upper Beles River Watersheds, Northwest Ethiopia," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 30(4), pages 1-30, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:masfgc:v:30:y:2025:i:4:d:10.1007_s11027-025-10214-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11027-025-10214-z
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