Determinants of climate information service access and use among smallholder farmers in Bereh woreda, Ethiopia

Abstract

AbstractClimate information service (CIS) is a key component of a climate adaptation strategy that is expected to lessen climate risk. Access to and use of CIS among the local community are limited and constrained by various factors and are not supported by empirical research evidence. Therefore, this article analyzed CIS access and use determinants among smallholder farmers in Bereh woreda. The study applied a cross‐sectional design with a mixed methodological approach. Data were collected through a survey of 219 smallholder farmer households, three focused‐group discussions, and six key informant interviews. The collected survey data were analyzed using the heckprobit model to determine factors influencing smallholder farmers' access to and use of CIS. The heckprobit model results revealed that the determinants of CIS access and use had a statistical significance of log‐likelihood of 1% (Wald χ2 = 45.2, p = 0.001), indicating a strong explanatory power. The selection model revealed that age and off‐farm income significantly reduced the likelihood of accessing CIS, whereas mobile‐phone ownership and male‐headed households increased the likelihood of accessing it. Age, female‐headed households, and farm size decreased the likelihood of using CIS, whereas mixed farming, radio ownership, and access to herbicide enhanced the likelihood of using it. This study, therefore, recommends intensive awareness creation and improving the delivery of diverse and reliable CIS to enhance agricultural productivity and smallholder farmers' resilience to the impacts of climate change. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;00:1–11. © 2023 SETAC