Small-Scale Farmers' Adaptation to Climate Variability in Manga, Nyamira County, Kenya
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Date
2023-06
Authors
Gwaro, Bosire Isaac
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 25.5°C.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 small-scale 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 small-scale farmers with adequate weather and climate information to enable better adaptation.
Description
A Project Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Masters of Environmental Studies (Climate Change and Sustainability) in the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences of Kenyatta University
Keywords
Samm-scale, Farmers, Climate variability, Manga, Nyamira county, Kenya