EFFECTS OF DROUGHT ON RURAL HOUSEHOLDS AND THEIR COPING MECHANISMS: THE CASE OF KACHA BIRRA WOREDA, KEMBATA TEMBARO ZONE, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Drought is one of the most devastating weather phenomena that has negatively affected Ethiopia over the decades. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of drought on rural households and their coping mechanisms in Kacha Birra woreda, Kembata Tembero, Zone SNNPR, Ethiopia. Primary data, both of qualitative and quantitative types were collected sample households, focus group discussions (FGDs), and Key informants. A total of 292 sample households were selected from three sample kebles for individual interviews. Secondary data was collected from relevant line offices, the CSA and the woreda Meteorology Office. Descriptive statics, weighted average index, and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the data .The results indicated that a decline in Crop yield was the most widely reported effects of drought with a weighted average index of 2.16. Among identified drought coping mechanisms, sale of household assets was the most widely reported while cultivating drought-resistant and short-season crops were the least reported ones. The findings from the multiple linear regression model showed that the household's drought coping mechanism is influenced by age, education, farm size, annual household income and access to credit influenced the coping mechanisms of the households in the study area. It is recommended that sustainable adaptation options and involvement of different institutional interventions are crucial to minimize and address the recurrent cycle of drought in the study area.