Climate Change and Food Security Nexus in Ethiopia: Challenges to Food Sustainability -A Systematic Literature Review

Mekonen Getachew Abebe^*Zerihun Yohannes Amare

• Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Currently, climate change is a global concern, significantly impacting household food security worldwide, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. A systematic review of 11 peerreviewed articles investigated the relationship between climate change and food security in Ethiopia, revealing that climate change is a major factor aggravating food insecurity. Agriculture, the primary livelihood for over 80% of the population, contributing 50% to GDP and generating 90% of foreign exchange, is highly susceptible to climate change. This vulnerability directly affects the four components of household food security. The review also highlighted persistent forecasts of reduced crop production, land degradation, volatile market prices, and deteriorating livelihoods due to climate change, all contributing to food insecurity. Generally, climate change in Ethiopia is a setback to food security and is linked to broader development issues. Adaptation strategies were thoroughly discussed as a means of mitigating the impact of climate change on food security. Identified adaptation mechanisms include practicing climate-smart agriculture, implementing irrigation, managing soil and water resources, providing short-season seeds, planting drought-tolerant crops, altering planting dates, diversifying livelihoods, improving farmers' awareness, and increasing the participation of female-led households in incomegenerating activities. The review recommends that Ethiopia, as a developing country, adopt locally suitable climate change adaptation strategies to enhance food security.