In Ethiopia drought has a long history. Because of drought human beings and livestock are affected before and at this time. It is becoming a common phenomenon for the country and its habitants. The cause of drought is believed to be human and natural. This repeated and persistent drought has affected the rural community especially those how depend on traditional subsistence farmer which depend on rain-fed agriculture. This study investigates cause, effect of drought and coping mechanism deployed to tackle the problem. To gather relevant information for the study I used discussions with different groups of the community, experts and officials in different administrational levels; open and semi-structure questioner (interviews) for small holder farmers, DAs, experts and other secondary data. The study found that lack of alternative income generating and off-farm activities; credit facility and capacity for improved technology either by unavailability or inability to purchase; repeated climate change, fragmented & eroded farmland, underdeveloped infrastructure; disintegrated relief and rehabilitation programme with in government programme are most problems confronting the rural community to escape from drought impact. The existing coping mechanism taken by the community were reducing quality and quantity of meal, sale of wood and charcoal, free aid distribution and participating in public work (FFW/CFW) are major one. Therefore, to tackle the problem policy for sustainable development: family planning, problems related with shortage & degradation of farm land, Credit access for different alternative income activity need to be improved. In addition appropriate natural resources rehabilitation; need based capacity building to community; strengthening public service provision and improved extension service & approach are the most important to solve the above problems.

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Wuyts, Marc
hdl.handle.net/2105/6651
Rural Livelihoods and Global Change (RLGC)
International Institute of Social Studies

Firehiwot Tefera Tirfea. (2009, January). Drought and Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia: A Case Study in Boricha Woreda in SNNPRS. Rural Livelihoods and Global Change (RLGC). Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/2105/6651