Abstract:Climate change has had a significant impact on rain-fed agricultural production in developing countries. Smallholder farmers are the most vulnerable, and currently must make production decisions in a high risk and uncertain environment with regard to rainfall and temperature. This paper uses climate and household survey data to analyse farmer perceptions regarding climate change, adaptation measures taken in response to these changes, and how well these perceptions correlate with meteorological data in Kenya. … Show more
“…Additionally, they are consistent with the study of Amir et al., 2020a , Amir et al., 2020b where 96% of the farmers interviewed reported to have perceived changes in climate. Furthermore, they are in line with the findings of Ochieng et al., (2017) , Mutunga et al., (2017) and Belay et al., (2017) who reported that farmers had perceived a decrease in rainfall in their respective study areas within Kenya over time. Figure 4 Trend of the total annual rainfall amounts received in Masaba Sub-county.…”
Section: Resultssupporting
confidence: 90%
“…The smallholder farmers claimed the increase in temperature had resulted in the drying of some crops in some seasons. The findings on the perceived temperature and rainfall properties are consistent with those of Ochieng et al., (2017) who found that 74.9% of the respondents sampled from various zones of Kenya perceived an increase in temperature and 46.5% believed the rainfall has decreased over 30 years. They are equally consistent with those of Mutunga et al., (2017) who reported that 97 % to 100% of the respondents had identified a decrease in the amount of rainfall received over time.…”
Section: Resultssupporting
confidence: 88%
“…The key adaptation strategies adopted by farmers were consistent with studies of Kichamu et al, (2018) in Matungulu Sub-County, Eastern Kenya, Wamalwa et al (2016) in three Sub-counties in Kisii county, Ochieng et al, (2017) in various agro-ecological zones in Kenya, Mburu et al, (2015) in Yatta District, Kenya. They identified change of crop varieties, change of planting time, crop diversification and soil and water conservation practices as the most adopted strategies to cope with changing climate.…”
Section: Climate-smart Agriculture Adoption By Smallholder Farmerssupporting
Many countries experience the negative impacts of climate change especially in the decline of agricultural productivity leading to decreased national and household food security. This study assessed smallholder farmers' perception of climate variability and change and their adaptation strategies in Masaba South Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect data from 196 smallholder farmers. Additionally, focused group discussions and key informant interviews were used. The study revealed that most farmers perceived climate changes. 88.3% of the respondents noted a decrease in rainfall, 79.1% reported poor rainfall distribution, 88.3% perceived a late onset of rainfall while 76.6% perceived an increase in temperature. The farmers' perception mirrored the actual climatic data trends for the area obtained from the meteorological department. The major climate-smart agriculture practices adopted by farmers in the area included; diversification of crops, change of planting time and crop rotation/mixed cropping. The adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices significantly correlated with the household size, monthly income, access to credit and farmers' perception of climate change. The study recommends the incorporation and prioritization of climate change in the county and government development agenda as a means of enhancing the uptake of climate-smart agricultural practices.
“…Additionally, they are consistent with the study of Amir et al., 2020a , Amir et al., 2020b where 96% of the farmers interviewed reported to have perceived changes in climate. Furthermore, they are in line with the findings of Ochieng et al., (2017) , Mutunga et al., (2017) and Belay et al., (2017) who reported that farmers had perceived a decrease in rainfall in their respective study areas within Kenya over time. Figure 4 Trend of the total annual rainfall amounts received in Masaba Sub-county.…”
Section: Resultssupporting
confidence: 90%
“…The smallholder farmers claimed the increase in temperature had resulted in the drying of some crops in some seasons. The findings on the perceived temperature and rainfall properties are consistent with those of Ochieng et al., (2017) who found that 74.9% of the respondents sampled from various zones of Kenya perceived an increase in temperature and 46.5% believed the rainfall has decreased over 30 years. They are equally consistent with those of Mutunga et al., (2017) who reported that 97 % to 100% of the respondents had identified a decrease in the amount of rainfall received over time.…”
Section: Resultssupporting
confidence: 88%
“…The key adaptation strategies adopted by farmers were consistent with studies of Kichamu et al, (2018) in Matungulu Sub-County, Eastern Kenya, Wamalwa et al (2016) in three Sub-counties in Kisii county, Ochieng et al, (2017) in various agro-ecological zones in Kenya, Mburu et al, (2015) in Yatta District, Kenya. They identified change of crop varieties, change of planting time, crop diversification and soil and water conservation practices as the most adopted strategies to cope with changing climate.…”
Section: Climate-smart Agriculture Adoption By Smallholder Farmerssupporting
Many countries experience the negative impacts of climate change especially in the decline of agricultural productivity leading to decreased national and household food security. This study assessed smallholder farmers' perception of climate variability and change and their adaptation strategies in Masaba South Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect data from 196 smallholder farmers. Additionally, focused group discussions and key informant interviews were used. The study revealed that most farmers perceived climate changes. 88.3% of the respondents noted a decrease in rainfall, 79.1% reported poor rainfall distribution, 88.3% perceived a late onset of rainfall while 76.6% perceived an increase in temperature. The farmers' perception mirrored the actual climatic data trends for the area obtained from the meteorological department. The major climate-smart agriculture practices adopted by farmers in the area included; diversification of crops, change of planting time and crop rotation/mixed cropping. The adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices significantly correlated with the household size, monthly income, access to credit and farmers' perception of climate change. The study recommends the incorporation and prioritization of climate change in the county and government development agenda as a means of enhancing the uptake of climate-smart agricultural practices.
“…Both responsibilities are based on the belief that climate change was already happening and most adaptation statements are confirmed by end-users, including the use of drought-resistant crops, efficient use of water, a change in cultivation patterns, relocation of crops varieties, and effective use of fertilizers and pesticides [86]. According to Ochieng et al [87] and Kibue et al [88], the type of adaptation can be divided into different issues. Firstly, changing cropping practices (introduction of new varieties, changing planting dates).…”
Section: Mitigation and Adaptation Measuresmentioning
The scientific understanding of climate change is firmly established; it is occurring, it is primarily due to human activities, and it poses potentially serious risks to human and natural systems. Nevertheless, public understanding of this phenomenon varies widely among farmers and the public, the two-target audience of this paper. This paper introduces two research questions: (1) How climate change is perceived by public-farmers’ nexus; and (2) How perception and populism (as a thin-ideology moved by social forces) interact? In order to address both questions, we review insights from different sources (literature, research projects, and public opinion services) over the last 10 years. The results proved how public experience of climate change is interdependent with the belief that climate change is happening. What is also notable is that the greater the years of farmers’ farming experiences, the greater the percentage rate of their climate change awareness. Differences among farmers and public perceptions were also noted. Uncertainty, coupled with skepticism, the media, and political will, are common findings when asking to farmers and the public for the main weaknesses in adaptation to climate change. However, scientific consensus, meteorological data, barriers to adaptation, and the role of technology are subjects in which both differ.
“…Majority of smallholder farmers in Kenya depend on agriculture for survival [12]. Building their adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change is key to enable them protect their livelihoods and ensuring their food security.…”
Background: Climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa has had a negative impact on agricultural production leading to food insecurity. Climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices have the potential to reverse this trend because of its triple potential benefits of improved productivity and high income, reduction or removal of greenhouse gases and improved household food security. Hence, we empirically find the determinants of choice and the effect of CSAs on household food security among smallholder farmers in Kenya. Methods: Primary data were collected in Teso North Sub-county, Busia County of Kenya, among smallholder farmers. CSA practices used by farmers were grouped by principal component analysis and linked to food security by multinomial endogenous switching regression model. Results: With the application of principal component analysis, we clustered the CSA practices into 4 components: crop management, field management, farm risk reduction and soil management practices. We find that the greatest effect of CSA adoption by smallholder farmers on food security is when they use a larger package that contains all the four categories of practices. Adopters of this package were 56.83% more food secure in terms of HFCS and 25.44% in terms of HDDS. This package mitigates upon the impacts of climate change as well as enhancing nutrient availability in the soils for higher productivity. Further, adoption of this package was positively influenced by gender of the household head, farm size and value of productive farm assets. Conclusions: CSAs have the potential to alleviate food insecurity among smallholder farmers if used in combinations and to a larger extend. To enhance adoption, land fragmentation should be discouraged through civic education and provision of alternative income-generating activities for farmers to benefit when practiced on relatively bigger land. Farmers should be sensitized on the need to invest in farm productive assets in order to absorb the risks of climate change while enhancing adoption of CSA practices.
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