Determinants of adoption of land management practices among farmers in Western Lake Tana and Beles River watersheds (Ethiopia) as a climate change adaptation strategy

Abstract

AbstractThis study analyzes farmers’ decisions to use land management adaptation practices in the face of climate change. It also looks at the socio-economic elements that influence adaptation practices. To collect primary data, a multistage and simple random sampling procedure was used to choose a sample of 338 farmers. The data was analyzed using a multivariate probit model. The results reveal that a farmer’s likelihood of adopting a specific land management adaptation measure is linked to and defined by a set of complementary adaptation measures. Grade bund terracing (97.1%), contour plowing (96.9%), adequate waterway (88.4%), compost preparation (84.3%), hedge planting (73.4%), and mulching (66.6%) were the most commonly chosen land management adaptation measures, followed by afforestation (61.2%), gulley rehabilitation (57.8%), woodlot implementation (55.5%), and area closure (55.4%). This shows that grade bund terracing and contour plowing are the most likely chosen land management adaptation practices while area closure is the less likely choice of practice. Land management adaptation strategies by farmers had a combined chance of success of 96 %, compared to a combined probability of failure. The implication is that farmers will utilize a combination of land management strategies to address climate change variables. The results also demonstrate that the sex, family size, farm experience, frequency of extension visits, and farmers’ level of education have a substantial impact on the common underlying socioeconomic component for choosing land management adaption techniques. As a result, developing a package of land management adaptation methods is critical for possible climate change treatments and strategies.

Keywords

• climate change
• land management
• adaptation practices
• resilient agriculture
• Ethiopia