Small scale farmers adaptation strategies to climate variability in Kijabe, Kiambu county, Kenya
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Date
2014-09-25
Authors
Kiarie, Samuel Wakang'u
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The challenges of climate variability faced by small-scale farmers in Kenya and most
part of the world have always been daunting. Current and predicted cl imatic changes
have already, and will in future exacerbate the extremes of variability and increase the
pressures. In Kijabe, small-scale fanners depend on rain fed agriculture and over the
years frequent crop failures and rain shortages have become common. Climate
researchers and scientists predict increasingly dry conditions in much of Africa due to
climate variability. Small-scale farmers' efforts to cope have shown both
unfavourable and positive effects and hence the need to be explored. This study will
therefore determine the small-scale farmers' adaptation strategies to climate
variability, in Kijabe, Kiambu County of Kenya. The objectives of the study will
include, to evaluate trends in rainfall and temperature between 1982 and 2013, to
assess how these trends have affected the farmers' perception in climate variability
and to explore small-scale farmers' adaptation strategies and how socio-economic
factors influence their adoption in Kijabe. Mixed method approach will be adopted in
addressing the objectives of the study. The study will employ simple random and
purposive sampling techiniques. Questionnaires, interviews, field observations and
review of documents techniques and tools will be employed to generate relevant data:
Qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques will be adopted and results
presented using frequency tables, bar graphs and pie charts. T-test and chi-square will
be used to test the hypotheses of the study. It is anticipated that the study will provide
information to that could help the farmers to adopt the best adaptation practices that
would lead to sustainable crop production. It is also expected to provide the policy
makers and agricultural extension officers with information which could enable
them to formulate appropriate agricultural policies and frameworks that will
effectively deal with the impacts of climate variability on future agriculture thus
promoting sustainable agricultural production in the country. Finally, the study will
contribute to existing body of knowledge on climate variability adaptation strategies
and helps to generate ideas for further research.
Description
School of Environmental Studies