ADAPTATION STRATEGIES IN AGRICULTURE

BYALAMZ DEMESSIE

SENIOR AGERO METEOROLOGIST (RFM FOCAL PERSON)DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT AND FOOD SECURITY SECTOR, ETHIOPIA

WORKSHOP PROGRAMME ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN SUPPORT OF CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY MAKERS IN THE GREATER HORN OF AFRICA SUB-REGION, ARUSHA, TANZANIA : 1-4 MARCH 2011

OUTLINE OF THE TOPIC

Introduction How do we implement adaptation? The impact of adaptation process Importance of Gender mainstreaming in the

process of adaptation Important points to implement adaptation

measures Possible Adaptation Measures Conclusions

INTRODUCTION

• The extent and nature of negative impacts imposed by climate change on agriculture can be managed by effective adaptation.

• In the context of climate change, adaptation refers to adjustments in human and natural systems to respond to actual or expected climate impacts.

• Climate change adaptation is a process of socio-institutional co-learning that recognizes often-competing goals and processes and uses information at various levels and in many ways to reduce vulnerability to climate risks.

HOW DO WE IMPLEMENT ADAPTATION?

Adapting to climate change will depend on adjustments and changes at every level - from community-based to national and international. However, the capacity to adapt will vary significantly from country to country, community to community and in particular to the level of development.

THE IMPACT OF ADAPTATION PROCESS

• Adaptation process has the potential impact to reduce adverse effects of climate change and enhance beneficial developmental activities which can be the driving force for sustainable development.

• The capacity of human nature to adapt to and cope with climate change depends on such factors as wealth, technology, education, information skill, infrastructure, access to resources, and management capabilities.

IMPORTANCE OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN THE PROCESS OF ADAPTATION

There are gender differences in climate change impacts and in adaptive capacities. As a great portion of women in developing countries are involved in agricultural activities any adaptation measure taken towards that activity is directly linked women’s day to day life.

Such differences, in vulnerability and also in adaptive opportunities, should be recognized in the adaptation process to avoid further increases in gender inequality and to ensure the successfulness of adaptation policies and measures.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO IMPLEMENT ADAPTATION MEASURES

Adaptation measures should be supported by investigation and research findings in order to design appropriate strategies.

In general, the preferred adaptation strategies are actions with multiple economic and environmental benefits, including for current and future conditions and needs to be based on sound scientific assessment.

SOME EXAMPLES IN ETHIOPIAN CONTEXT

EXAMPLE1 CHANGE IN LGP IN BAHIR DAR (ETHIOPIA)

Agricultural Rainfall Index (ARI) during two different periods (From 1962 – 1992 and 1975 - 2005) (Almaz Demessie 2006)

SOME EXAMPLES IN ETHIOPIAN …CONTDEXAMPLE 2 CHANGE IN MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE IN BAHIR DAR (ETHIOPIA)

Trend analysis of mean maximum temperature for Bahir Dar from 1961 – 2000 during the cropping season (May – November)

(Almaz Demessie 2004)

SOME EXAMPLES IN ETHIOPIAN …CONTDEXAMPLE 3 CHANGE IN LGP IN NEGELE (PASTORAL AREA OF ETHIOPIA)

Length of Growing Period during two different time frames [(1954 – 1983

and 1976 - 2006) (Almaz Demessie 2007)

POSSIBLE ADAPTATION MEASURES

Applying improved knowledge to develop better techniques and to resist the effect of climate change in a given locality.

In line with this attention should be given for the following possible adaptation processes in agriculture.

POSSIBLE ADAPTATION MEASURES…CONTD

• Cultural practices that can precondition for the plant need to be further explored and implemented to mitigate the effect of stress factors.

 • Change in land use by using deferent

techniques such as changing farm area, change to crops with higher thermal requirements and drought-tolerant crop, a switch to crops with lower moisture requirements and changes in crop location.

POSSIBLE ADAPTATION MEASURES…CONTD

• Change in management in terms of the use of irrigation, fertilizer, in the control of pests, in soil drainage, in farm infrastructure.

 • Create awareness among people about the

causes of climate changes so that farmers could change their wrong management practices such as deforestation, over grazing, etc. which are the main causes for desertification and climate change at large.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to design and implement sound adaptation mechanism, appropriate scientific assessment and research findings have paramount importance, since any adaptation strategies are actions with multiple economic and environmental benefits, including for current and future conditions.

CONCLUSIONS …CONTD

The range of practices that can be used to adapt to climate change is diverse, and includes changes in behavior, structural changes, policy based responses, technological responses or managerial responses.

Thank You