Adaptive Capacity and Socioeconomic Factors that Influence Small-Scale Maize Farmers Response to Climate Variability in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
| dc.contributor.author | Busolo,Temina Arivitsa | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-10-01T11:53:55Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-10-01T11:53:55Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-05 | |
| dc.description | A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Environmental Studies (Climate Change and Sustainability) in the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences of Kenyatta University May, 2024 Supervisors: 1. Michael K. Koech 2. Evelyn Wemali | |
| dc.description.abstract | The agriculture industry is at risk due to the worldwide challenge of climate variations. Given its excessive dependence on weather patterns, agriculture is quite susceptible to climate variability. Maize farming faces a threat due to its vulnerability to changes in climate. To lessen susceptibility and increase farmers' ability to adapt, intentional actions must therefore be pursued. The choice of adaptation strategies is paramount among other factors in cushioning maize farmers from adverse climate variability shocks. The study aimed to find out how socioeconomic variables affects small scale maize farmers selection of adaptation tactics, which in turn affects their ability to adjust to climate variability in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The objective of the study sought to examine rainfall and temperature trends from 1989–2019 in Uasin Gishu County. The study also identified the methods small-scale maize farmers employ to adapt to climate unpredictability in Uasin Gishu County. The study looked at the socioeconomic variables that affected farmers’ choices of adaptation strategies. Additionally, the determinants of the adaptive capacity of small-scale maize farmers were assessed. The study employed a descriptive survey design, collecting data through the use of questionnaires. There were 394 small-scale maize farmers in the study's sample. The Kenya Meteorological Department provided temperature and rainfall data from 1989 to 2019 to determine variability. Decadal rainfall (F = 1.994767, p = 0.155599), mean maximum temperature (F = 2.537521, p = 0.097758) and mean minimum temperature (F = 3.089715, p = 0.061899) varied, according to the findings of the ANOVA test. Linear regression indicated an increase in rainfall (R2 = +0.1417) and increased temperatures (R2 = +0.0484). The hypothesis that stated H01: There is no significant variation in rainfall and temperature from 1989–2019 was accepted since there was no statistically significant change in rainfall and temperature patterns. Agroforestry, dry planting, water harvesting, conservation of soil moisture, adjusting crop varieties and planting dates, among other adaptation strategies were employed by the respondents. Nonetheless, adjusting planting dates was the most chosen adaptation tactic. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed land size (p = 0.010), education (p = 0.05), gender (p = 0.003) and age (p = 0.006) having a statistical significance to the choice of adaptation strategies. The hypothesis that suggested H02: there was no significant association between socioeconomic status and the choice of climate variability adaption tactics was disproved. Gender (p = 0.036) and land size (p = 0.00) influenced the remittances received. Access to labour had a significant relationship with household size (p = 0.013) and income (p = 0.010). Education level (p = 0.002) was significantly related to the maize variety chosen. The area of land owned and the number of years spent on farming influenced access to disaster relief and aid. There was a notable weak institutional capacity where government subsidies and disaster relief were lacking. In order for small-scale farmers to effectively adjust to the consequences of climatic variability, investments in enhancing their adaptive capacity are required. To strengthen their ability and to give farmers appropriate institutional support, the study recommends more collaboration between relevant government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community-based groups. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/29006 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Adaptive Capacity and Socioeconomic Factors that Influence Small-Scale Maize Farmers Response to Climate Variability in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya | |
| dc.type | Thesis |