Impact of Rainfall Variability On Crop Production & Farmers Adaptation

Rainfall variability is a key climate elements that affect crop production in Ethiopia, which is largely dependent on rain-fed. Evidently, the impact of inter-annual and seasonal rainfall variability is adverse particularly among the rural communities in South Gondar zone of the Amhara National Regional State of the country. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the nature and magnitude of rainfall variability and its impact on crop production as well as the existing adaptation practices in Ebinat woreda (District) of South Gondar Zone, Amhara National Regional State. Data for this study was generated through qualitative and quantitative methods. The study results show that in the past 32 years there has been high variability of monthly, seasonal and annual rainfall in Ebinat woreda. Based on the Mann-Kendall test there were 2 to 3 years of successive drier conditions. The findings of this analysis suggest that the impacts of climate variability were quite significant, particularly as Ebinat wored context. Irrespective of whether the climate of the future will be wetter or drier this area requires a combination of important adaptation decisions.