Climate Change Adaptation Strategies of Smallholder Farmers: The Case of Bedele District, Bunno Bedele Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Understanding of the local dimensions of adaptation is essential to develop appropriate adaptation measures that can minimize the adverse consequences of climate change. The objective of this study was to identify farmers’ adaptation strategies and determinants of climate change adaptation strategies in Bedele district, Western Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study and 100 respondents were interviewed. The results shows that the likelihood of households to adopt adverse effects of climate change in the study area used adjust planting date, integration of crops with livestock, irrigation, crop diversification, crop rotation and soil and water conservation practices. Determinants of adaptation choice identified were sex, family size, educational status, farming experience, assess to media, extension contact and access to training and they have significant effect on climate change adaptation strategies which makes difference on adaptive capacity among the smallholder farmers. Access to training increased the probability use of climate change adaptation strategies of crop diversification, improved crop and livestock, soil and water conservation and irrigation practice increased by 2.3%, 10.9%, 4.91 %, and 9% respectively. Also the farmers farming experience increased the probability use of climate change adaptation options of crop diversification, improved crop and livestock, soil and water conservation and irrigation practices by 16%, 18%, 6.4% and 54% respectively. Therefore, researchers forwarded building farmers adaptive capacity by providing access of training and access of credit and awareness creation on climate change through different sources such as mass media and extension service, enhancing farmers on use of crop diversification, irrigation practices and using improved crop varieties, adjust planting date to minimize the effects of climate change in the area. Key words: Adaptation, Climate change, Determinants of climate change, Smallholder farmer

Assessing Soil Bund and Haricot Bean-Maize Intercropping Effects on Productivity of Maize at Arjo, Eastern Wollege Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Soil fertility depletion is a major challenge to agricultural productivity and natural resources integrity in the highlands of Ethiopia. Improving crop management practices are believed to mitigate the effect and increase crop productivity. An on-farm study was conducted during the cropping season of 2017 in Arjo District, Eastern Wollega of Oromia Regional State with the objective of evaluating soil bund and maize (Zea Mays L.)-Haricot bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) intercropping effects on maize productivity and soil moisture availability. The study involved a split plot design where soil bund (with and without) and intercropping (sole-maize and maize- haricot bean intercropping) were the main and sub plot factors, respectively replicated on 15 farmers’ fields. Soil moisture content during the growing season and agronomic parameters (Days to maturity, hundred seeds weight, biomass, and grain yield of maize) were determined. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out to test the main and interaction effect of the treatments. Results showed that soil bund increased soil moisture availability during the entire growing period, which may be related to the likely reduction in surface runoff and increase infiltration. Consequently, the maize yield and most of the yield components were significantly increased due to soil bund. On average, soil bund increased maize grain yield from 5998 kgha-1 to 6668 kgha-1with a corresponding increase in biomass from 13973 kgha-1 to18056 kgha-1. Also, significantly higher maize grain (6783 kgha-1) and biomass (18256 kgha-1) yield were obtained due to intercropping of maize  with haricot bean than sole maize, which resulted in 14831 kgha-1 biomass and 5882 kgha-1 grain  yield. Because of the higher soil moisture during the grain filling period with soil bund, which extended days to maturity has led to the increased hundred seeds weight, biomass, and grain yield. Therefore, the use of soil bund and intercropping of maize with haricot bean have a potential for increasing crop productivity. However, as this is based on a single year data, further investigation is needed to establish undisputed evidence base to recommend the practices as a strategy to reverse land degradation, increase productivity and build resilience and increase adaptation to shocks such as climate change. Keywords: Haricot-Bean, Intercropping, Maize, Maize Productivity, soil moisture conten

Assessment of Community Perception on Solid Waste Management Practice in Bedele Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Solid waste management is basic activities needs the participation of all individuals to increase the quality of environment and health. The aim of this study was to assess community perception on solid waste management practice in Bedelle Town, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Sampled households interview, field observation and key informants were used for data collection. Focus group discussion was also employed for the cross checks the data collected through interview. Food waste, plastic bags, plastic bottles, papers and cartons, cans and glass were some of solid waste released from each household and disposed to inappropriate disposal site and environment. Common diseases associated to poor solid waste management identified were common cold (52.9%), respiratory track and shyness (27%) and typhoid and cholera (4.6%), respectively. Mean daily solid waste generation rate per capita per household in the town based on the current finding was 0.3240 kg/day/house hold. Also, the determinants willingness of urban community on solid waste management practice was also highlighted using linear regression model. Age, educational level, awareness and availability of training on solid waste for the urban community affect the attitude and willingness of urban communities to practice solid waste management. Generally the communities had very low thinking on the impact of improper solid waste management on the environmental condition. Therefore, the municipality should have to intervene with the integration of concerned stakeholders with appropriate waste management practices and disposal sites like landfill, demonstration sites. Keywords: Solid waste, community perception, generation rate, solid waste management practice DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-10-01 Publication date: November 30th 201