Adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices among Small Scale Farmers of Kitutu and Nyaribari Chache in Kisii County, Kenya
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Date
2017-11
Authors
Wamalwa, Isaac Wafula
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Climate variability and change has caused instability in production and decline in
productivity exacerbating food insecurity particularly in Latin America, Africa including
Kenya and some parts of Asia. The magnitude and frequency of extreme climatic events
is projected to increase. The effects of these climatic changes will become even more
pronounced among small scale farmers whose farming activities are weather dependent
and vulnerable to climate change, and already affected by environmental degradation and
socio-economic risks. Effective adaptation to climate change among small scale farmers
is therefore of critical importance, and is dependent on adoption of climate smart
practices. However, studies have shown low adoption of climate smart farming practices
among small scale farmers world over, in Kenya and Kisii county. This study therefore
examined factors influencing adoption of climate smart practices among farmers of
Kitutu and Nyaribari Chache in Kisii County, evaluated their existing knowledge, attitude
and practice of these practices, assessed their perception of climate change, examined the
extent of climate information dissemination, and the resultant impact on uptake of these
practices. The research adopted a survey research design, where both quantitative and
qualitative research strategies were used. Data was gathered through Focus Group
Discussions, questionnaires, key informant interviews, observations and desk review.
Both simple random and purposive sampling were used to sample 420 small scale
farmers and technical officers of the agriculture sector respectively. Data was analysed
using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. To test the statistical significance of
the findings and relationships between the variables, chi-square test was used. The study
revealed low (23.3%) access to weather and climate information, but growing (63.1%)
awareness of climate change problem as evidenced by increase in temperature (48.1%),
change in rainfall patterns (24.3%), emerging new strains of diseases and pests (40.7%),
and decline in production (47%) for over 3 decades. The study further showed an
emerging need (74%) for adoption of climate smart practices. The findings also revealed
high awareness (66%) and positive attitude (84.5%) of farmers towards climate smart
practices, but exhibited low knowledge (15%) and adoption (59.2% - 1.9%) of these
practices. The low adoption was shown to be as a result of low diversification of income
sources (86%), lack of awareness of available policy provisions (75%), lack of
knowledge (85%), financial limitations (64.3%), low access to weather and climate
information (76.7%), inadequate extension services (47.5%), dysfunctional farmer groups
and weak policy framework. Besides the influence of perceived characteristics of climate
smart practices, adoption of climate smart practices was shown to be enhanced by higher
income level (P =0.028), educational level (P =0.028), size of the farm (P= 0.0), farming
experience (P=0.002), knowledge of the practices (P=0.0), weather and climate
information (P=0.0) based on chi-square test results, which were within the significant
level (p < 0.05). The study concluded that, while there was an emerging appreciation of
climate change problem and need for adoption of climate smart practices, their adoption
was mainly constrained by weak legal and policy framework, financial setbacks, limited
climate information and knowledge of climate smart practices. The study therefore
recommends up scaling of climate and weather information sharing, promotion of skill
and knowledge of climate smart practices, development of sound policy and legal
framework, and mobilization of funds
Description
A Thesis Submitted In Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Environmental Studies of Kenyatta University
November,2017