Doing Field Research on Climate Change with Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia

Abstract

In 2011, I started a research project as part of the doctoral programme at the University of East London, UK. Concerned with the social and economic wellbeing of vulnerable populations, I decided to focus my research on vulnerability and adaptation to climate change taking the case of smallholder farmers in Sidama in southern Ethiopia. The impacts of climate change are one of the most urgent challenges of the time, presenting unique challenges for people. The challenges of climate change are global; its impacts and perception are context- and location-specific. Yet, research on the effects of climate change in Ethiopia has remained remarkably fragmentary, especially in Sidama, a region in the south with over 3.4 million people. The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth exploration of perception, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change by smallholder farmers. This case is based on fieldwork undertaken between February 2012 and June 2012 in Ethiopia to explore farmers' perception, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. I used sustainable livelihood frameworks as an overarching approach to study vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were deployed. The case describes the process of fieldwork, which started with recruitment of staff and participants, training and brainstorming with recruited research assistants, and a fact-finding visit to all the districts.

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