“EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURE PARTICULARLY IN SEMI-ARID TROPICS OF THE WORLD WITH SOME EXAMPLES OF SELECTED AREAS OF

ETHIOPIA”

BYALAMZ DEMESSIE

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

THE SECOND REGIONAL CLIMATE AND IMPACT MODELING WORKSHOP FOR EASTERN AFRICA, ADDIS ABABA , ETHIOPIA NOVEMBER 14 – 19, 2011

OUTLINE OF THE TOPIC

Introduction Some examples in Ethiopian Context Possible Adaptation Measures Conclusions

INTRODUCTION Climate is the average weather

parameters, usually 30 years of a given locality. The measures of climate include mainly the estimates of average values of weather parameters and measures of variability near to the average value.

There may be real shifts of the average or changes in variability between two periods. These deviations from the mean value constitute climate variation or change.

INTRODUCTION

The rainfall variability in the rainy seasons is the most serious problem encountered by Ethiopian farmers. Therefore, it is very important to clearly understand the characteristics of weather parameters together with the triggering factors that exert significant impacts.

INTRODUCTION

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

• 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.

INTRODUCTION

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.

INTRODUCTION

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.

INTRODUCTION

Many research studies have stated that meteorological parameters like rainfall, temperature and wind play an important role in changing agricultural production more than other parameters.

Any deviation from the mean climatic condition would affect agricultural activities negatively. Agriculture can show little sensitivity to moderate variations around those means.

SOME EXAMPLES IN ETHIOPIAN CONTEXT Example 1

SOME EXAMPLES IN ETHIOPIAN …..CONTD Example 2

SOME EXAMPLES IN ETHIOPIAN …..CONTD Example 3

SOME EXAMPLES IN ETHIOPIAN …..CONTD Example 4

SOME EXAMPLES IN ETHIOPIAN …..CONTD Example 5

POSSIBLE ADAPTATION MEASURES

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

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

POSSIBLE ADAPTATION MEASURES…CONTD

 • Change in land use by using deferent

techniques such as 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

 • 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, 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