Adaptation Mechanisms to Curb the Impacts of Climate (rainfall and temperature) Variability

Abstract

Smallholder farmers in Tharaka and Kitui suffer the adverse effects of climate variability, especially variations in rainfall and temperatureThis has had a negative impact on agricultural production and is attributed to the fact that most of their agriculture is rain-fed There is therefore need for adaptation as a fundamental and necessary response to the threats posed by climate variability Adaptation refers to all adjustments that reduce the vulnerability of farmers to conditions caused by climate variability Smallholder farmers in these areas have characteristically adopted adaptation/coping mechanisms to help in reducing the overall vulnerability to climate variability shocks.