Drivers and responses to climate variability by agro-pastoralists in Kenya: the case of Laikipia County

Abstract

This paper examines factors influencing the choice of response strategies and the actual strategies smallholder farmers use to respond to the effects of climate variability in transitional climatic zones of Africa, specifically Laikipia West Sub-County in Kenya. Data for this study were collected from 392 randomly selected smallholder farmers, using a structured questionnaire. The study used principal component analysis to group together related strategies that farmers used to respond to the effects of climate variability, which resulted into seven groups of responses. Majority of farmers at 97.5%, 85% and 74.1%, respectively, used cultural practices, diversification practices and risk reduction practices. Intensification practices followed by 69.3% while terraces crop and herd management and new breeds were the least adopted at 27%, 13.2% and 9%, respectively. Multivariate probit model was then used to examine the factors influencing smallholder farmers' choice of response strategies to effects of climate change. The results indicated that access to weather information had a strong effect on use of risk management strategies at 74% and intensification strategies at 49%. Increase in level of education and exclusive dependence on agriculture increased the probability of introducing new breeds by 30% and 53%, respectively, while access to extension services increased use of terraces by 42%. Strong local institutions that facilitate access to information and credit are likely to initiate changes in key household characteristics, which positively affect response to effects of climate variability. Policies should aim to strengthen local institutions that enhance access to information and credit services. There is need for investment in the provision of affordable and quality education, relevant demand-driven extension services that provide localized response solutions.

Understanding the Role of User Needs and Perceptions Related to Sub-Seasonal and Seasonal Forecasts on Farmers' Decisions in Kenya: A Systematic Review

“…In Laikipia, perceptions on the access to weather information (e.g., knowing the rainfall patterns expected), increased agricultural information, access to agricultural extension services, credit availability, and higher levels of education enabled farmers to increase the use of hybrid seeds and enhance productivity (Atsiaya et al, 2019). Farmers' expectations of upcoming seasonal weather are important measures of farm decision-making in Laikipia County where Rembold et al (2014) analyzed the impacts of food security and found that KMD forecasts, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) seasonal forecast, and Global Forecasting System can predict varied food situations in the country.…”

An Analysis on the Perception of Small Ruminant Breeders to Climate Change and The Factors Affecting Adaptation: A Case Study of Karaman Province

“…In two studies conducted separately in Kenya, most of the measures applied an adaptation strategy for climate change are found statistically significant (Kinuthia et. al., 2018;Atsiaya et. al., 2019).…”

“…al., 2016, Zizinga et. al., 2017, Fadina and Barjolle, 2018, Atsiaya et. al., 2019, Kinuthia et.…”

Evaluating Transformational Adaptation in Smallholder Farming: Insights from an Evidence Review

“…Planned adaptation strategies should thus ensure that the underlying determinants of adoption, such as access to knowledge and information, exist alongside other relevant enabling factors, including endowment with productive assets, human capital (education and skills), and institutional support (e.g., farmer groups and collective action; Atsiaya et al, 2019;Bedeke et al, 2019). Profiling different vulnerability categories is also extremely important because smallholders adopt different strategies according to their degree of sensitivity and adaptive capacity beyond their actual exposure to climate change.…”