Adaptation Strategies to Rainfall Variability by Small Scale Dairy Farmers in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya
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Date
2024-04
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Dairy farming in Kenya remains among the key wheelers to the Nations GDP contributor
at about 6- 8%. Majority of the farmers in this sector, are small scale who mostly have no
knowledge and capacity to handle challenges posed by rainfall variability that causes
frequent droughts, impacting on water and pasture supply to their animals. The research
investigated the adaptation strategies to rainfall variability by small scale dairy farmers in
Uasin-Gishu County in Kenya. Objectives of study were: To assess the extent to which
rainfall variability had affected small scale dairy farming, to evaluate the adaptive
mechanisms used by small scale dairy farmers in response to rainfall variability between
years 2010-2020 and to investigate the challenges faced by these farmers in adapting to
this condition. Rainfall data was collected from the Kenya Meteorological Department
(KMD), Eldoret. While milk produce data was obtained from Ministry of Agriculture
Uasin-Gishu County. Structured Questionnaires were used to collect data on adaptive
mechanisms and its challenges. The questionnaire was administered to small scale dairy
farmers who were sampled in a stratified manner based on their sub counties, then
randomly within the Sub County. In total about 368 small scale dairy farmers were
sampled out of which 300 (82%) of administered questionnaire were fully responded to.
Analysis of objective one was done by Pearson correlation to establish the relationship
between various rainfall characteristics and milk produce. Total annual rainfall with total
annual milk had correlation of r= 0.53, number of rainy days in a year to the amount of
milk with Pearson correlation of r =0.23, P>0.05. Onset and cessation periods had
Pearson correlation of r=0.31 and r=0.02 respectively. Average monthly rainfall to milk
had Pearson correlation indicating a negative relationship of r= -0.42, P= 0.17, meaning
months with high rainfall amounts had lower milk produced while dry ones had higher
milk produced. In the second and third objectives, SWOT analysis was used to analyze
them. Adaption strategies were taken as strengths and included: Keeping resistant
breeds, they also access loans from banks and co-operative societies and also farmers rely
on stored hay and silage during dry conditions. Challenges to adaptation were
weaknesses and included: constraint by lack of adequate funds, lack of enough
knowledge and skills to implement adaptive strategies besides in adequate support from
County government. Research recommended that farmers should keep more of cross
breed animals which cope with climate variability unlike exotic ones. There was also
need for farmers to join and strengthen cooperative societies to assist them adapt, this is
besides use of digital methods of sharing challenges and solutions to rainfall variability.
The research findings are expected to benefit policy makers and other stake holders in
improving dairy sub sector besides offering a body of knowledge to further researches.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of Arts in Geography (Climatology) to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences of Kenyatta University, April 2024