Agrobiodiversity and Perceived Climatic Change Effect on Family Farming Systems in Semiarid Tropics of Kenya
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Date
2022
Authors
Njeru, Ezekiel Mugendi
Awino, Richard Otieno
Kirui, Kibet Charles
Koech, Kipkorir
Jalloh, Abdul Alhaji
Muthini, Morris
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
De Gruyter
Abstract
The steady decline in agrobiodiversity is not
only a significant threat to the genetic stability of the
rural agroecosystems but also places a huge impediment
to the realization of global food security. Climate change
and decline in arable land is forcing subsistence farmers
to abandon the less productive but well-adapted local
crops for the newer short term and drought-tolerant crops
decimating agrobiodiversity further. This study sought to
establish the on-farm species and genetic diversity status
among the family farming systems of semiarid areas of
Eastern Kenya and effect on food security, agrobiodiversity management strategies, their perception of climate
change, and climate change coping strategies. Structured
questionnaires were administered to 92 active farmers in
Embu, Kitui, and Tharaka Nithi Counties of Eastern Kenya.
On-farm diversity, socio-economic factors, and their impact
on agrobiodiversity were determined. Possible correlations
were established using Spearman’s Rank Correlation
Coefficient. Remarkably, 26 crop species were recorded
where legumes and cereals were dominant. According to
the Shannon–Wiener Diversity index (H′), Tharaka Nithi
County recorded the highest legumes and cereals diversity
indices of 3.436 and 3.449, respectively. Food shortage was
reported by over 50% of the respondents in the study area.
The existence of weaker adaptive measures in response to
climate change was evident. Family farming systems that
had higher crop diversification and integrated livestock
rearing in their farms were more food secure. Improved
mitigation to climate change and diversification of farming
systems among the smallholder farms is essential not only
in boosting the food security but also in establishment of
sustainable farming systems resilient to climate change
Description
Article
Keywords
agrobiodiversity, food security, climate change, family farming systems, Kenya
Citation
Njeru, E. M., Awino, R. O., Kirui, K. C., Koech, K., Jalloh, A. A., & Muthini, M. (2022). Agrobiodiversity and perceived climatic change effect on family farming systems in semiarid tropics of Kenya. Open Agriculture, 7(1), 360-372.