Smallholders’ Coping Strategies in Response to Climate Variability in Semi-Arid Agro-Ecozones of Upper Eastern Kenya
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Ngetich, Felix K.
Mairura, Franklin S.
Musafiri, Collins M.
Kiboi, Milka N.
Shisanya, Chris A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Rainfed agriculture dominates food production systems in arid and semi-arid agro-ecozones. Water is a key
limiting factor to crop growth in the small-scale farming systems of the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. Climate
adaptation is a fundamental and necessary response to the threat posed by the current and future climatic
changes in semi-arid farming systems of the SSA region. This study was implemented to identify the socioeconomic
drivers and determinants of adaptation to rainfall variability at the farm level in contrasting agroecological
zones of Kenya. Two hundred and seventy (270) farmers were selected. The survey was implemented
in Mbeere South, Meru South, and Maara Sub-Counties in Kenya to determine farmers’ perceptions of
climate variation during the decade that preceded the survey and climate adaptation strategies that farmers
implemented. The most common climate adaptation strategies included the use of terraces (89%), early maturity
crop varieties (82%), and intercropping (79%). In comparison, the least common strategies included waterharvesting
strategies (29%), trenches (35%), and staggering planting dates (46%). Farmers in low potential
agro-ecological zones recorded lower education levels, less secure land tenure systems, and poor access to
training, extension, and credit facilities necessary for successful climatic adaptation strategies. The study findings
indicated that farmers in low potential zones, including Mbeere South Sub-County, faced more risks due to the
nature of climatic variation in this agro-ecozone. Farm socioeconomic characteristics were important factors that
influenced farmer adaptation, including gender and age differentials, education attainments and agricultural
training, farm labor availability, household food security status, and preceding annual occurrences of crop
failure. There is a need to develop holistic approaches that incorporate scientific findings from the researchers
and the local household-based strategies that can enhance risk assessment and management, coping and adaption
strategies, and decision-making by multiple stakeholders.
Description
Article
Keywords
Adaptation, Soil and water conservation, Rainfall variability, Rainfed farming, Arid and semi-arid lands
Citation
Ngetich, F. K., Mairura, F. S., Musafiri, C. M., Kiboi, M. N., & Shisanya, C. A. (2022). Smallholders' coping strategies in response to climate variability in semi-arid agro-ecozones of Upper Eastern Kenya. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 6(1), 100319.