Vulnerability of Farmers to Crop Farming Risks in Ethiopia: An Integrated Vulnerability Analysis Approach Using Social-Ecological System Framework

Crop production under a smallholder system is challenged by several (a)biotic risks those resulted in livelihood insecurity. This study assesses farmers’ perceived vulnerability level to the crop farming and identifies its determinants using an integrated analysis approach. Survey data collected from 393 sample households West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia, were analyzed PCA ordered probit regression. Results indicate that 13 percent of sampled are highly vulnerable, 73.5 moderately vulnerable 13.5 less where 77 groups faced more than 3 months lean season 72 season. Moreover, experience education household head, livestock owned, farm size, on-farm diversification, access credit, small scale irrigation, off-farming income, extension contact, social capital significantly affecting level. These calls for need-based government and/or non-government intervention plans focusing on improving rural infrastructure facilities devising effective responsive institutional setup enhancing capacities farmers short-run minimizing likelihood exposure sensitivity long-run.