Author(s)

Tamrat Lolaso¹, Assef Engdawork^2*, Teshale Woldeamanuel^1*

¹College of Forestry and Natural Resources, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
²College of Development Studies, Centre for Environment and Development in Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This study aims to address the knowledge intelligence for local practices related to climate change forecasts and adaptations by exploring community mechanisms for rainfall prediction and coping strategies for minimising the effects of climate change. Data on livelihood practices of climate change/variability prediction, how respondents realise climate change and its impacts, and what mechanisms were practices for rainfall prediction, and adaptation strategies of climate change/variability were collected by using household head survey, which was conducted in a sample of four Kebele Administrations of Shashogo district. Data collection methods included key informant interviews, focus groups, field observations, and household surveys. Exploratory, descriptive, and critical methods of data analysis were used. The coming of rainfall and the season are predicted by communities using a variety of meteorological, environmental, and social factors. The forecasting and predicting techniques that the household head respondents identified include wind direction, the presence of lightning or a rainbow, and cattle behaviour. In response to climate change and variation, the indigenous group uses a variety of climate adaptation approaches, including tree-planting, mutual borrowing, and the adoption of regulations through social mechanisms. Predictive ability differs across Indigenous communities according to livestock behaviour, lightning occurrence, wind direction, and rainbows. A key component of wise climate adaptation is the validation of local area precipitation forecasting by the integration of scientific research with native precipitation forecasting. Politicians would additionally take into account the local practices of prediction mechanisms.

Adaptation, Climate Change, Indigenous, Prediction, Traditional Knowledge

Lolaso, T. , Engdawork, A. and Woldeamanuel, T. (2024) Local Knowledge and Perception of Smallholder Farmers on the Impacts of Climate Change and Their Adaptation Strategies in Shashogo District, Central Ethiopia. Open Access Library Journal, 11, 1-18. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1111611.