Adaptation Mechanisms and Coping Strategies to the Effects of Climate Variability on Maize Yield with Focus on Matungulu West, Machakos County Kenya
Loading...
Date
2017
Authors
Mabonga, E.S.
Manguriu, D.G.
Kerich, R.
Nakokonya, G.M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Finlogy
Abstract
Climate variability is a phenomenal
challenge to the citizens of the globe. It is
noticeable from many documented studies that
climate variability is taking place at an alarming
rate. The globe has been experiencing an increase
in temperature of approximately ≈ 0.20 C after
every ten years for the last three decades. It is also
established that rainfall increased significantly
from 1900 to the 1950 then dropped from 1970 to
present. The total sum of such extremes is a terribly
affected livelihood in particular those living below
the dollar. However, farmers in Matungulu West, in
Machakos County Kenya have established their
own measures and strategies to address the effects
posed by climate variability. That informed the
main objective of this study which was To
determine adaptation measures and coping
strategies being practiced by households in
Matungulu West in Machakos County Kenya in
addressing climate variability. A structured
questionnaire which was developed and pre-tested
was used to interview 380 randomly selected
household heads to elicit information. Findings of
the study indicate that most (52.2%) of the farmers
have reduced or spread risks by replanting with
early maturing maize, (26.4%) staggering planting
dates, (2.9%) changing crops when replanting,
(6.6%) grazing of failed parcels of land and
(11.9%) carrying out varietal selection of stress
resistant to suit the prevailing conditions. It was
established further that (64.8%) of the respondents
preferred early sowing as an adaptation option
while (1.4%) indicated that they were practicing
irrigation farming to combat climate variability.
This study made a conclusion that there is a broad
range of contrasting diversification strategies
employed between different types of households
headed by either females or males with the
ownership or lack of ownership of cattle being a
key factor that cuts across household types and
which provided considerable additional flexibility.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Climate variability, Yield, Rainfall, Temperature
Citation
Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-7, 2017