Climate Variability Adaptation Strategies used by Small-Scale Maize Farmers in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
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Date
2023-08
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EANSO
Abstract
The agricultural industry is threatened by climate variability due to its overreliance on climatic conditions. Maize production faces similar threats due to its
sensitivity to climate variations and changes in weather patterns, specifically
rainfall and temperature. Increased temperatures, rainfall variability, and
heightened frequency of climate extremes, such as long periods of drought, were
found to have a significant impact on Kenya’s maize production. This study
therefore sought to identify climate variability adaptation strategies used by
small-scale maize farmers in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, to curb the effects of
climate variability on maize yield. The study adopted a descriptive survey design
where questionnaires were administered to 394 household heads. The results
show some farmers chose different adaptation strategies to lessen the impact of
climate variability on maize yield, while others stuck to their original methods
of farming. Changing crop varieties and changing planting dates were the highly
opted-for adaptation strategies, while dry planting, irrigation farming, planting
drought-tolerant crops and soil moisture conservation techniques were the least
opted-for adaptation strategies. Socioeconomic factors such as land size,
education level, age, gender and marital status had a strong influence on the
choice of utilisation of various adaptation strategies. So as to curb the adverse
outcomes of climate variability and empower small-scale maize farmers, the
study recommended proper education on diverse adaptation methods, access to
accurate climate data for proper adjustment to planting dates, sensitization on
different crop varieties as well as access to financial resources to promote
practices like irrigation farming.
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Citation
Busolo, T. A., Koech, M. K. & Wemali, E.(2022). Climate Variability Adaptation Strategies Used by Small-Scale Maize Farmers in Uasin Gishu County, KenyaAfrican Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 2(1), 153-170. https://doi.org/10.37284/ajccrs.2.1.1400.