12. Analysis of Climate Variability and Agricultural Drought and their Implications for Rainfed Agriculture at Selected Stations in the Hadiya Zone, Ethiopia

Rainfed agriculture is the mainstay of the majority of livelihoods in Ethiopia. However, the rainfall resources on which agriculture depends vary greatly in space and time, affecting cropping patterns and productivity. Agricultural drought during the crop-growing season is the leading challenge to agricultural production in Ethiopia. As a result, this study examines the climate, specifically rainfall and agricultural droughts associated with the wheat-growing season, in Ethiopia's southern region, with a focus on the Hadiya zone. Hence, from the perspective of an agriculturalist, reliable start and end dates of the rainy season were established, and the rainfall pattern was examined using a modified Mann–Kendall test. To characterize drought events, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was used. The Markov chain model was used to assess the dry and wet spell conditions. At Fonko, the rainy season typically begins on April 23 and ends on October 30, while at Hosanna, it begins on April 14 and ends on November 1. In the study area, wheat's crop water requirements ranged from 483.6 to 512.2 mm during the growth season, and they were unaffected by the planting date. The chance of a dry period increases throughout the short rainy season. For both stations, there was a higher frequency of moderate drought episodes throughout both wet seasons, followed by severe drought. Supplemental irrigation is essential in the area, especially during the most precarious periods of crop growth. Mulching and other in situ and ex situ moisture conservation methods must be used as part of any moisture management strategy.