Impact of Climate Change on Cashew Nut Production and Livelihoods of Farmers in Kwale County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Morang’a, Kevin Nyakundi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
kenyatta university
Abstract
Every nation on earth has experienced the effects of Climate Change in the twenty- first century. Kenya has implemented attempts to alleviate the issue, but its effects are still seen widely, particularly around the shore and ASAL areas. Studies provide mounting evidence of how Climate Change is affecting agronomy, particularly as it relates to yield reduction and other changes. The main goal of the study was to evaluate Kenya's Kwale County cashew nut farmers' ability to adapt to Climate Change and maintain their way of life. The primary objectives were to determine the trends in Climate Change and related impacts on cashew nut production in Kwale County, secondly, to identify the adaptation strategies being adopted by cashew nut farmers in Kwale County and lastly, to determine the impact of Climate Change on net income of cashew nut farmers in Kwale County. To accomplish this precise goal, variables like temperature, rainfall, and net income from cashew nut were used to gauge how Climate Change may affect cashew nut output. The study covered all the four Sub- Counties in Kwale including; Msambweni, Kinango, Lunga Lunga, and Matuga. The cross-sectional survey data were gathered through interviews with 385 respondents in total. The Kenya Meteorological Department provided secondary data on temperature and precipitation for the last 40 years between 1981 and 2020. Both the linear and quadratic effects of a change in climate on cashew nuts, net revenue from cashew nut , and the combination were computed using the Ricardian model to examine the data. The statistical significance of the meteorological data was utilized to evaluate whether a positive or negative trend existed using the non-parametric Sen's and Mann-Kendall approaches. Annual temperature trends were positive and statistically significant for Kinango (ZS=0.692 , Qmed=0.049, p<0.001); Lunga Lunga (ZS=0.677 , Qmed=0.040, p<0.001); Msambweni (ZS=0.610 , Qmed=0.042, p<0.001) and; Matuga (ZS=0.641 , Qmed=0.043, p<0.001). However, the annual precipitation trends were not statistically significant for Kinango (ZS=0.026, Qmed=0.003, p>0.005); Lunga Lunga (ZS=0.210 , Qmed=0.017, p>0.001); Msambweni (ZS=-0.077, Qmed=-0.011, p>0.001) and; Matuga (ZS=0.146, Qmed=0.011, p>0.001). The socioeconomic variables that were found to also significantly (p<0.05) affect net revenue from cashew nuts, included; access to credit services, farmer-to-farmer extension services, size of land owned, Climate Change awareness, and education level. The findings show a nonlinear link between climatic variables and net cashew nut income. This study concluded that cashew nut income decreases significantly with a rise in mean annual temperature yet increases in precipitation boost cashew nut revenues. This study acclaims raising cognizance of Climate Change and developing adaptation plans for cashew nut farming. Access to financing options is also crucial. This can make it much easier for farmers to get the supplies they need in time for cashew nut production. Additionally, it would be beneficial to train groups of farmers in the research area because trained farmers are more likely to share the technologies they have acquired with others through farmer-to-farmer extension programs. Enhancing access to information will allow farmers to receive information about suitable cashew nut cultivation technologies
Description
A Thesis Submitted in the Partial Fulfillment for Award of Degree of Master of Environmental Science, School of Environmental Science and Education, Kenyatta University
Keywords
Climate Change, Cashew Nut, Kwale County, Kenya