The Impacts of Climate Variability on Livestock Resources and Pastoralist Adaptation Responses in Dollo Ado Woreda, Ethio-Somali National Regional State

Abstract

This study was conducted in Dollo Ado Woreda of Ethio- Somali-National-Regional State. The general objective of this study was to understand the impact of climate variability on livestock system and pastoralist adaptation responses in Dollo Addo Woreda Ethio -Somali National Regional State. Rainfall and temperature data for 34 years were collected from three meteorological stations. Socio-economic data were collected using structured quationnaire from150 randomly selected sample households from three kebeles. Data were organized in excel and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and analysed using descriptive statistics. Coefficients of variation (C.V), Precipitation concentration index (PCI) and standardized rainfall anomalies (SRA) were calculated for the period 1983 - 2016. Livestock related information were gathered from Dollo Ado Woreda Animal Science Department and regressed and correlated against annual rainfall and temperature totals over the study period. The findings for this study indicated that both rainfall and temperature over the study area have shown high spatial and temporal variability. The average annual precipitation concentration index (PCI) shows irregular distribution of annual rainfall for all stations. The results also indicated that the study area has experienced a number of drought events and flood years with different magnitudes. The number of livestock population was positively associated with annual rainfall. While most livestock population (except Camel and Goat) were negatively associated with mean annual temperature.Adaptation practices included mobility, destocking, livestock diversification, shifting from pastoralist to agro pastoralist and external support. Factors affecting pastoralist adaptation decision were; age and sex of household head, family size, educational background, access to credit and access to extension services training. From the results, it is recommended that households should use most drought tolerant animals, as well as diversifying their income and better to use small scale irrigation with the two rivers (Dawa and Genalle) instead of rearing only livestock.