Abstract

This study was aimed to compare farmers’ perception and adaptation strategies to climate change and variability, its determinants and impacts in East Bale and Bale zone. The study aims to assess farmers’ perception on climate change and variability with their adaptation strategies, to examine the constraints of adapting to climate change/variability and to identify best practices for adaptation measures that farmers are using currently. Purposive and probability sampling method were used to select households. Multi-stage purposive sampling technique was used to select climate related risk kebeles and discussants for the assessment. The station nearby kebeles was selected purposively from highland, midland and lowland districts. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were distributed for these sample households for interview. Also, factors that influence farmer’s perception of climate change and variability were used for the study areas. Total 58% of farmers interviewed during the survey perceived very much significant climate change in the study areas. About 98% of the farmers perceived planting date was shifted from historically known, whilst 2% was perceived no change in planting date from historical known.