Browsing by Author "Wemali, Evelyn"

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    Assessing the Uptake of Modern Kiln Technology in Mutomo, Kitui County, Kenya
    (Finlogy, 2017) Kioli, John; Wemali, Evelyn; Ngare, Innocent
    The demand for energy on developing nations has increased in the past three decades propelled by population growth. This has led to more biomass energy consumption and use in the households. For this study, we assess factors that will propagate better uptake of modern kilns that are environmental friendly and minimal on waste of wood fuel for the production of charcoal in Mutomo. Methodology of the study employed the following sampling techniques: random sampling; stratified sampling and purposive sampling during the survey. The sample size was 255. The methods of data collection used were observation and questionnaires. Both qualitative and quantitative data was obtained. Qualitative data was analysed through content and thematic analysis where the information received from the respondents were captured as were stated. The discussed findings also indicate the perceptions towards the uptake of modern charcoal producing kilns. Further, we analyze challenges of transitioning from traditional earth kilns to modern technology kilns. We conclude that, equitable use of environmental resources depend on better technologies that facilitate sustainability. Therefore the efficiency and economical characteristics of modern kilns play an important role in their adoption because they help in getting high quality charcoal such that the traders are able to get maximum returns. For the socioeconomic wellbeing of charcoal producers, modern kilns are economical and profit generating thus maintaining the forest cover unlike tradition kilns that degrades it. The formation of charcoal processing associations is the main way of encouraging the use of modern charcoal burning kilns other than the sensitization of the public on the benefits of the use of modern charcoal burning kilns.
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    Climate Variability Adaptation Strategies used by Small-Scale Maize Farmers in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
    (EANSO, 2023-08) Busolo, Temina Arivitsa; Koech, Michael K.; Wemali, Evelyn
    The agricultural industry is threatened by climate variability due to its overreliance on climatic conditions. Maize production faces similar threats due to its sensitivity to climate variations and changes in weather patterns, specifically rainfall and temperature. Increased temperatures, rainfall variability, and heightened frequency of climate extremes, such as long periods of drought, were found to have a significant impact on Kenya’s maize production. This study therefore sought to identify climate variability adaptation strategies used by small-scale maize farmers in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, to curb the effects of climate variability on maize yield. The study adopted a descriptive survey design where questionnaires were administered to 394 household heads. The results show some farmers chose different adaptation strategies to lessen the impact of climate variability on maize yield, while others stuck to their original methods of farming. Changing crop varieties and changing planting dates were the highly opted-for adaptation strategies, while dry planting, irrigation farming, planting drought-tolerant crops and soil moisture conservation techniques were the least opted-for adaptation strategies. Socioeconomic factors such as land size, education level, age, gender and marital status had a strong influence on the choice of utilisation of various adaptation strategies. So as to curb the adverse outcomes of climate variability and empower small-scale maize farmers, the study recommended proper education on diverse adaptation methods, access to accurate climate data for proper adjustment to planting dates, sensitization on different crop varieties as well as access to financial resources to promote practices like irrigation farming.
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    Climate Variability and Response Strategies among Smallholder Sweet Potato Farmers in Gatundu North Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya
    (International Journal of Research in Environmental Science (IJRES), 2024) Gacheru, Jemimah Wanjiru; Wemali, Evelyn; Gathuru, Gladys
    Climate change and climate variability as manifested in prolonged droughts and frequent floods among other effects is a challenge world over, affecting climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture. Climate variability could be particularly damaging to smallholder farmers that are dependent on rain-fed agriculture including those that grow sweet potatoes in many parts of Kenya such as Gatundu North Sub-County of Kiambu County. The aim of this research was therefore to assess the relationship between smallholder sweet potato production and climate variability in Gatundu North Sub-County. The study used monthly rainfall totals, monthly average maximum and minimum temperatures, annual sweet potato production and responses fromselected smallholder sweet potato farmers. There was a decreasing trend in annual rainfall totals, this trend was however not significantbut the rainfall was highly variable. Annual average maximum and minimum temperatures had an upward trendbut variability was negligible. There was a downward trend in annual sweet potato production. Annual sweet potato production and annual rainfall/annual average maximum and minimum temperatures had a weak negative correlation. The coping strategies being utilized by smallholder sweet potato farmers included crop diversification, irrigation, planting fast-maturing varieties, cultivating in swampy areas, cultivating under other plants to provide shade and adjustment of planting dates. It was concluded that there was no significant relationship between changes in rainfall and temperature and sweet potato production in the study area implying that the coping strategies being used by surveyed farmers were effective in mitigating the deleterious effects of climate variability on the crop and should therefore be strengthened.