Vulnerability and Adaptation Strategies to Drought and Erratic Rains as Key Extreme Events: Insights from Small Scale Farming Households in Mixed Crop Agro Ecosystems of Semi-Arid Eastern Kenya
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Date
2019-04-11
Authors
Mwenda, Pius
Kungu, James
Kiambi, D.K
Gevel, Jeske van de
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
academic journals
Abstract
Climate variability and change are some of the most pressing environmental challenges in semi-arid
Kenya and Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and are associated with persistent droughts, dry spells and erratic
rains. The present study aimed at determining exposure and adaptation mechanisms among selected
small-scale farmers cultivating drought tolerant crops in Wote, Makueni County, Eastern Kenya in the
period 2003 to 2013. The sampled 120 farmers cultivate sorghum, cow peas and pigeon peas, which are
some of the dominant multipurpose crops. Data collection methods included the use of semi-structured
questionnaires. Results indicated that household level vulnerability was caused by exposure to extreme
events: Drought (100%) and erratic rains (59%). Key drought adaptation means were drought resistant
crops, 65%; terracing, 28%; and crop diversification, 13%. A multiple regression model, R
2
=0.319,
indicated that age, gender and land size influenced adaptation choices significantly <0.05=0.027, 0.043
and 0.011, respectively. The results reveal prevailing exposure to extreme events at household level
and further existing influence of responses by household social characteristics. From the results, the
study mainly recommends adoption of alternative income activities, including on farm value addition,
coupling of indigenous and modern adaptation mechanisms and provision of comprehensive climate
information services.
Description
A Research Article in the African Journal of Agricultural
Research
Keywords
Kenya, Climate change and variability, vulnerability, Adaptation, Semi-arid, Smallholder farmers
Citation
Borona, M., Dionysius, K., James, K., Jeske, V. D. G., Carlo, F., & Yasuyuki, M. (2019). Vulnerability and adaptation strategies to drought and erratic rains as key extreme events: Insights from small scale farming households in mixed crop agro ecosystems of semi-arid eastern Kenya. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 14(15), 712-728.