International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, P.O. Box 776, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Department of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart 70593, Germany; Rural Development Theory and Policy, Department of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
Murendo, C., International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, P.O. Box 776, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Keil, A., Department of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart 70593, Germany; Zeller, M., Rural Development Theory and Policy, Department of Agricultural Economics and Social Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
In this article, we analyze the effects of drought on Ethiopian rural households' food security and associated risk management strategies. Severe droughts have led to a significant depression of crop yields and death of livestock in the past. Droughts have drastically increased the proportion of food-insecure households and lengthened the duration of food insecurity in the area. Ex-ante adaptation strategies widely practised in the area include storage of crop residues as fodder for livestock, rearing of drought tolerant livestock, mixed cropping, use of short-duration crop varieties, and adoption of soil and water conservation practices. Ex-post coping strategies utilized by households include sale of assets and reliance on support from informal networks. Training farmers in the production and conservation of livestock fodder as well as in soil and water conservation practices appear to be key options relevant to strengthen farmers capacity to adapt to and cope with drought. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.