MST-Department of Environmental Education

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Browsing MST-Department of Environmental Education by Subject "Climate"

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    Factors Influencing Knowledge Levels of Climate Variability Adaptation Strategies among Small-Scale Farmers in Kitui County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2019) MULYUNGI, LENAH MUTINDI; James Koske; Daniel Mang'uriu
    Climate variability poses as a major challenge for small holder rain fed agricultural production with a relatively greater impact on small scale farmers worldwide. Despite this, adoption of climate variability coping strategies remain low. Strategies such as water harvesting techniques through use of terraces, Zai pits, drip irrigation, agroforestry and conservation tillage continue to be fronted as possible climate adaptation options for small holder farmers. However, research into levels of knowledge of these strategies among farmers is relatively scarce. Kitui County, Kenya, particularly remains relatively less focused on climate change and fanner understanding of climate variability response strategies. This study sought to assess variability of climatic factors of rainfall and temperature in Kitui County from 1980-2012 and assess influence of household socio-economic factors on fanner's level of knowledge on climate variability adaptation techniques. The study also investigated the challenges faced by farmers in applying climate variability adaptation techniques. To achieve the objectives outlined above, a survey design was employed and a sample of 387 respondents selected. Majority of the respondents were small scale farmers in Kitui County. Questionnaires were designed and administered to the selected subjects to solicit data on climate adaptation techniques and socioeconomic factors influencing farmers' knowledge levels on climate variability adaptation techniques. Rainfall and temperature data were collected from the Kenya Meteorological department (number 9137089) and analysed to establish variation patterns in temperature and rainfall parameters. Data were statistically analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and results discussed and presented in tables, charts and graphs. The study found that climate has over the years varied with temperatures having increased by 2°C in the 1980s and early 1990s. The rainfall has reduced to less than 600mm with the lowest rainfall (226mm) being recorded in 2006. This implies that the Kitui County is increasingly becoming drier and hotter. These findings were further ascertained by majority of the respondents (91.1%)!fwho agreed that rainfall patterns had varied in the last ten years and that were warmer ~ignificantly over the past ten years. The study however found that there were no significant differences on how local farmers adapted to the changes in climate with regard to income, age and even ownership of land. An exception however, was on education levels with the study finding significant statistical differences (p<0.005) on how farmers with different levels of education adapted to climatic variability and change. Highly educated farmers adapted more coping strategies than those who had very little education. The study noted lack of information on how to mitigate against effects of climatic change, lack of good eqLifpment, high cost of adopting some strategies among others pose serious challenges that hinder adoption of climate coping strategies. To enable farmers effectively mitigate and adapt to the adverse effects of change of climate, the study recommends that farmers be sensitised .and informed on climatic change and coping mechanisms through agricultural extension services and capacity building programmes.
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    Impacts of Climate Variability on Rice Farming in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2022) Mati, Simon Mutisya; James K. Koske
    Climate variability threatens agriculture at local and global scales. Resilience to climate variability impacts calls for adequate preparedness among affected populations. Farmers who rely primarily on rain-fed agriculture appear to be more relatively prone to the accumulated effects of climate variability. The effects are relatively more pronounced in developing world. Rice is a crop of major concern since it is generally one of the most cultivated and consumed cereal crops in Africa and specifically in Kenya. Its productivity is on the decline for factors largely attributable to climate variability. Rice is primarily an irrigated crop. In Kenya, river volumes supplying irrigation water are rapidly dwindling and are no longer able to sustain rice farming as in the past. This study was set to investigate impacts of climate variability on rice farming in Mwea area of Kirinyaga County. The study looked into the area in particular 1990 and 2019 and evaluated effects of the variability on rice production in the same period. It also set out to assess climate variability adaptation strategies employed by rice farmers. To obtain primary data, 144 households were randomly selected from all the rice farmers in the area and the sample was assigned questionnaires. The households were given questionnaires with closed and open-ended items on the specified variables. Further, field observations were made and data recorded in observation sheets and photographs. Other forms of data were obtained from secondary sources including Kenya Meteorological Department, electronic repositories and farmer association offices. Data for each variable and combination of variables were statically analyzed p≤0.05) using “R” software and the results displayed in graphs, tables and pie charts. April recorded the highest mean rainfall of 242.8 mm. Conversely, the mean temperature of the research area over the period was found to be 28.360C. The highest maximal mean temperature of 29.94oC was recorded in 2019 while highest minimal mean temperature of 19.30oC was recorded in 2011. The results showed that there was a positive (r = .3152) significant (p < 0.01) between rainfall and the rice production (in tonnes) per hectare/year. The p-value at 0.39 shows a correlation coefficient of +0.16 between rice production and temperature. After a 30 years’ time series weather trend analysis, there was a high variation trend in annual rainfall and temperatures averages. The year 1992 was the wettest year while 1999 was found to be the driest year. From the findings, correlation between quantities of rice produced and weather variables showed that rice is adversely affected by increased temperatures and so reduced rice yields. Climate variability adaptation strategies employed by rice farmers in Mwea, indicated that majority (64%) apply chemical fertilizer to fasten the growth rate in the face of limited rain water, 22% of them do early planting while minority (12%) of the respondents prefer use of weeds and pest control. This research concluded that temperature increases with less rainfall reduced rice yields. The study recommended that there is need for the government, through the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), to construct a high-capacity central water storage reservoir upstream, more canals around all rice fields and establish dams for harvesting and storage of rainwater. Also, farmers need to get introduced to drip irrigation techniques and establish Kenyan rice- based farming systems and System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for responding to climate variability effects.