Determinants of Farmers’ Perceptions of Climate Variability, Mitigation, and Adaptation Strategies in the Central Highlands of Kenya
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Date
2021
Authors
Mairura, Franklin S.
Musafiri, Collins M.
Kiboi, Milka N.
Macharia, Joseph M.
Ng’etich, Onesmus K.
Shisanya, Chris A.
Okeyo, Jeremiah M.
Mugendi, Daniel N.
Okwuosa, Elizabeth A.
Ngetich, Felix K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Climate variability in recent decades has intensified in the SSA region, which makes it imperative to explore
adequate adaptation and mitigation strategies to offset its current and future adverse impacts. Farmers’
perception of climate variability can significantly influence their coping, mitigation, and adaptation potential.
This study assessed farmers’ perceptions of indicators and consequences of climate variability and explored
factors influencing their perception of climate variability and adoption of climate coping strategies. A crosssectional survey design was used to sample 300 farmers in the Central Highlands of Kenya. Binary logistic
regression models were used to determine factors that influenced the perception of climate variability, adaptation, and mitigation strategies based on three predictor sets, including socioeconomic, institutional, and
environmental dimensions. Three climate adaptation and mitigation strategy groups adopted by farmers,
including crop adjustment, nutrient management, and soil and water management practices, were subjected to
binary logistic regression models. The core determinants of farmers’ perception of climate variability included
tropical livestock unit (TLU, p = 0.008), access to agricultural training (p = 0.022), change in agricultural
production (p = 0.005), change in forest cover (p = 0.014), soil fertility status (p = 0.039), and perceptions of
soil erosion (p = 0.001). Most farmers reported changes in all climatic indicators during the decade preceding the
survey, including increasing temperature (80%), reduced precipitation (78%), and declining season lengths
(76%). There were significant relationships between climate variability perceptions and coping strategies, with
the soil and water management set showing stronger links with climate perceptions compared to crop adjustment
and nutrient management strategies. Critical mitigation and adaptation strategies to cope with climate variability
implemented by farmers included the use of fertilizer and manure in combination (71%), terracing (66%), and
crop rotation (60%). Farmers’ perceptions significantly determined the adoption of climate-smart agriculture
technologies, and environmental determinants strongly influenced climate variability coping strategies. Therefore, while formulating climate sustainability-related policies, farmers’ perceptions should be considered.
Description
Article
Keywords
Climate-smart agriculture, Adaptation potential, Greenhouse gas emissions, Climate variability
Citation
Mairura, F. S., Musafiri, C. M., Kiboi, M. N., Macharia, J. M., Ng'etich, O. K., Shisanya, C. A., ... & Ngetich, F. K. (2021). Determinants of farmers' perceptions of climate variability, mitigation, and adaptation strategies in the central highlands of Kenya. Weather and Climate Extremes, 34, 100374.