Small-Scale Farmers’ Adaptation to Climate Variability in Manga, Nyamira County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Bosire, Isaac Gwaro
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Agriculture is among the most vulnerable sectors to climate variability effects globally.
This stems from climate variability extremes that paralyze farming systems and affect the
socioeconomic status of farmers. As the population surges, climatic changes continue to
impair food security. This has created a variable demand for climate adaptation strategies
towards small-scale farming. This study therefore aimed to assess small-scale farmers'
adaptation strategies to climate variability in Manga Sub-County, Nyamira County. The
specific objectives were: to determine small-scale farmers' adaptation strategies to
climate variability effects; to assess the climate variability trend (rainfall and
temperature) in the years 1991–2021 in Manga Sub-County; to assess the dissemination
of climate variability adaptation strategies information to small-scale farmers; and to
examine perceptions of small-scale farmers on climate variability effects in Manga Sub-
County, Nyamira County. A mixed-method research design was used where both
qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Questionnaires and interviews were the
primary data collection tools. The sample size of 198 was derived through the application
of the Naissuma sampling formula that determined the infinite sample, where different
sampling techniques, such as purposive sampling and systematic sampling, were used.
Raw data was coded in excel sheets and analyzed through SPSS. The results show that
the annual rainfall (y = -2.199x + 2088.2, R2 = 0.0096) and annual average maximum
temperature (y = 0.0186x + 25.528, R2 = 0.249) have retrospectively increased overtime
through a simple regression model. On average, Manga Sub-County had an annual
average temperature of 25.50C. Use of mixed cropping (n = 196, 96.45%) and rainwater
harvesting (n = 192, 97.46%) were the most preferred adaptation strategies. The least
preferred adaptation strategies as non-adaptors were greenhouse technology (n = 182,
92.39%) and use of climate index insurance (n = 181, 91.88%). In addition, the smallscale
farmers perceived the notable climate variability effects with a strong agreed tally
of (n = 130, 65.66%). Use of radio (94.21%) was the main source of climate variability
information. From the findings, the study recommends the development of early warning
systems (EWS) by the environmental department in collaboration with NEMA county
office in Nyamira County to give accurate weather and climatic prediction trends and the
establishment of proper climate communication pathways and channels to embed smallscale
farmers with adequate weather and climate information to enable better adaptation
Description
A Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Masters of
Environmental Studies (Climate Change and Sustainability)
in the School of Environmental Studies of Kenyatta
University
Keywords
Small-Scale Farmers, Manga, Nyamira County, Kenya