Climate change, adaptation and livelihood changes in the Lake Tana Basin: implications for food security and poverty

Abstract

The main objective of the thesis is to examine the effect of climate change and adaptation on livelihood pattern and the concomitant implications for poverty and food security. The thesis uses a mixed-method research approach to address the study objectives. In this regard, the thesis applied various types of data collection techniques including household survey, focus group discussion, key informant interview, in-depth interview and participatory scenario development workshops. The thesis reveals that there is a decline in rainfall and a rise in temperature in the Lake Tana Basin. In line with this, a time series analysis of the relationship between climate change variables and crop production showed that changes have occurred in the variables that have led to a reduction in crop production. In order to respond to this negative effects, community members have used various modern and traditional adaptation techniques. Climate change and adaptation strategies have both brought about changes in livelihood pattern in the Lake Tana Basin. Accordingly, the study has assessed the effect of changes in livelihood pattern on food security and poverty. The result shows that the observed changes in livelihood pattern (caused by climate change and adaptation) have affected different components of poverty and food security. And with regard to the components of livelihood assets, the thesis shows that almost all of them are under climate threat but with different levels of vulnerability. Another finding is that the current adaptation strategies are not pro-poor. The result of a ranking exercise using local criteria shows that while afforestation, tree planning, shifting cultivation and modern irrigation ranked relatively at the top as pro-poor strategies, improved seeds and improved animal hybrids ranked lowest.