Climate Smart Agriculture and its Implication on Climate Change Adaptation Measures within Smallholder Farming Systems in Gatundu South, Kenya
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Date
2024
Authors
Tei, Jilo Naghea
Waswa, Fuchaka
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UNESCO
Abstract
The impacts of climate change and the need for implementing adaptation and mitigation measures
continues to dominate global environmental dialogue, with the Africa Climate Summit 2023 and
Conference of Parties 28 being the most recent in this series. A hitherto marginalised aspect is the level of
adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices in smallholder production systems. This study explored
this dimension using Gatundu South as a case study. Rainfall data was obtained from the Climate Hazards
Group Infrared Precipitation with Station data. Socio-economic data targeting 384 respondents was
collected using questionnaires. Standard procedures were used to analyse these data. Results showed that
farmers are generally aware of climatic variability especially as evidenced by changes in rainfall patterns.
Farmers adapt and attempt to mitigate effects of climate change and variability by using practices that
deliver direct economic benefits and not necessarily the climate-smartness of the practices. Farmers did
not associate their adaptation measures with the need to reduce emission of greenhouse gasses. To
smallholder farmers, direct economic benefits are the primary incentives for the adoption of climate-smart
practices. Further, the link between climate change and the invisible greenhouse gases is a knowledge gap
among smallholder farmers. Therefore, adoption of climate smart agriculture practices can be enhanced if
the narrative shifts to emphasise the negative contribution of greenhouse gases to farmers’ health and the
concomitant medical costs, through their role in exacerbating air pollution
Description
Article
Keywords
Climate Smart Agriculture, Adaptation Measures, Smallholder Farmers
Citation
Tei, J. N., & Waswa, F. (2024). Climate Smart Agriculture and its Implication on Climate Change Adaptation Measures within Smallholder Farming Systems in Gatundu South, Kenya. Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.49