The Impact of Climate Change in Dangla
The Dangla area has an elevation of around 6,000 feet. The rainy season runs currently from June through August. The annual rainfall is around 45”, a little more than Seattle at 39”. Over several years, the average daily temperature in the Dangla area has been slowly rising. As a result, malaria, which used to be non-existent in Dangla, is now common around the closest city of Bahir Dar at the beginning and end of the rainy season (May-June and September-December).
In addition, the amount of rainfall is also affected by climate change. The rainy season is slowly becoming shorter, now ending before September, resulting in less time for ground water aquifers to be restored. Residents are trying to dig more wells, but there is ongoing concern about the water supply, and the water table is now much lower than previously, making hand digging of wells dangerously impossible.
These changes have impacted the farming practices as well. When temperatures were cooler, more teff was grown. Teff is a food staple in Ethiopia, used to make the flat bread, injera and als oused in soups and stews. It is a complex, nutritious, gluten-free grain that has been grown for centuries. After the harvest, the stalks are often fed to livestock. Due to its importance in the Ethiopian diet, the reduction in the amount of teff as a main agricultural crop has a significant potential to impact food security throughout Ethiopia. Instead, with the warmer temperatures, more corn is being grown.
In addition, through project leader Workineh Genetu, Project Ethiopia has worked to create local Farmers’ Associations to help farmers learn new ways to deal with the changing climate. In the United States, about 2% of the population are farmers. In Ethiopia ,by contrast, that amount is about 85%. Workineh Genetu, living in Dangla, has been awarded Farmer of the Year in Ethiopia four different times. He determined the best way to spread good farming techniques throughout the region was to create local Farmers’ Associations, and to date, with the support of Project Ethiopia, 15 have been established. Each Association consists of 50 “Model Farmers” (men and women) in a kebele (community) who gettogether to learn best techniques and pass the information onto others in their community.
Project Ethiopia’s Farmers’ Associations provide crucial equipment to farmers and teach them cost-effective, environmentally appropriate farming approaches so that they can become economically self-sustainable and lift their families out of extreme poverty. In addition to new skills and knowledge that can be derived through training, Dangla farmers have an abundance of indigenous techniques they can share with one another and disseminate to members of their community. Forming as a licensed association also offers opportunities for members to apply for government support and to be able to purchase seeds and organic fertilizers collectively and more cheaply, which they often can’t do on their own.
Farmers’ Associations also provide a way to combat environmental problems, including those posed by climate change. Workineh has developed and encouraged projects for harvesting rainwater, reducing or eliminating the use of harmful pesticides, and encouraging the use of compost pits and organic fertilizer. When there is an urgent need to circulate information about events such as drought or prolonged rain, Farmers Association members relay information to the approximately 300 farmers in their area. Churches have also been willing to allow members to announce important information during services to keep farmers informed.
Climate change is a reality affecting everyone around the world. Project Ethiopia will continue to work with farmers and other residents in Dangla to adapt to and limit these impacts.