Exploring the role of indigenous knowledge in adaptation climate change (a survey study of rural households of tigrai region)

Climate change can be exacerbated by human induced actions such as: the widespread use of land, the broad scale deforestation, the major technological and socioeconomic shifts with reduced reliance on organic fuel, and the accelerated Uptake of fossil fuels. Farmers’ knowledge about their soils and their management constitutes a complex wisdom system, which if integrated with modern soil science, could provide the necessary synergy for sustainable agricultural development and to adapt climate change. The very purpose of this research was to assess the perception of farmers on the prevalence of climate change/ climate variability, the strategies they adapt to mitigate it and the barriers they face to use their traditional practice (indigenous knowledge). A survey study was undertaken in two Tabias (Mayliham and Genfel) of Tigray Region to ascertain on how farmers use their indigenous knowledge to adapt climate change. It was found that farmers understand that there is a clear change of the climate indicators such as river volume, start date of rain, access of fodder, increase in pests and invasive plants etc. The finding further reveals that farmers are enriched with numerous long-aged practices of climate change adaptation. The researchers have further ensured that though farmers are endowed with such indigenous knowledge, very small attention is given by the government and development agents on this regard. So the concerned bodies should give room for these practices while they are formulating and implementing policy (especially agricultural policy). Further, awareness creation campaign, for farmers, and pre-warning system should be established.