Farmers’ perspectives

Abstract

Purpose Understanding farmers’ perceptions of how the climate is changing is vital to anticipating its impacts. Farmers are known to take appropriate steps to adapt only when they perceive change to be taking place. This study aims to analyse how African indigenous vegetable (AIV) farmers perceive climate change in three different agro-climatic zones (ACZs) in Kenya, identify the main differences in historical seasonal and annual rainfall and temperature trends between the zones, discuss differences in farmers’ perceptions and historical trends and analyse the impact of these perceived changes and trends on yields, weeds, pests and disease infestation of AIVs. Design/methodology/approach Data collection was undertaken in focus group discussions (FGD) (N = 211) and during interviews with individual farmers (N = 269). The Mann–Kendall test and regression were applied for trend analysis of time series data (1980-2014). Analysis of variance and least significant difference were used to test for differences in mean rainfall data, while a chi-square test examined the association between farmer perceptions and ACZs. Coefficient of variation expressed as a percentage was used to show variability in mean annual and seasonal rainfall between the zones. Findings Farmers perceived that higher temperatures, decreased rainfall, late onset and early retreat of rain, erratic rainfall patterns and frequent dry spells were increasing the incidences of droughts and floods. The chi-square results showed a significant relationship between some of these perceptions and ACZs. Meteorological data provided some evidence to support farmers’ perceptions of changing rainfall. No trend was detected in mean annual rainfall, but a significant increase was recorded in the semi-humid zone. A decreasing maximum temperature was noted in the semi-humid zone, but otherwise, an overall increase was detected. There were highly significant differences in mean annual rainfall between the zones. Farmers perceived reduced yields and changes in pest infestation and diseases in some AIVs to be prevalent in the dry season. This study’s findings provide a basis for local and timely institutional changes, which could certainly help in reducing the adverse effects of climate change. Originality/value This is an original research paper and the historical trends, farmers’ perceptions and effects of climate change on AIV production documented in this paper may also be representative of other ACZs in Kenya.

Underutilized Indigenous Vegetables’ (UIVs) Business in Southwestern Nigeria: Climate Adaptation Strategies

“…Thus, farmers' perception appears to be in consonant with the statistical record of temperature from the meteorological station. This result is also in line with (Chepkoech et al 2018), who also found increasing trend in the temperature of study area.…”

“…Unanimously, the farmers across the four States agreed that the UIVs' response to resultant effects of climate change differs and it is premised on the type of UIVs and season. This finding is in an agreement with Chepkoech et al (2018) who also found that the sensitivity of African Indigenous Vegetables to climate change variables is determined by the season and the type of vegetable, for instance, in the case of amaranth species, fluted pumpkin, jute mallow, and African eggplant; extreme rainfall does not really have effect on both their yield and the incident of insects and pests' infestations, although they experience moderate disease infestation such as yellowing of leaves. During the dry season, their yields are moderately low and moderate rate of pests and insects' infestation occur.…”

“…The outcome of changes in average annual rainfall and temperature results into different anomalies such as drought frequency, insects, pests and diseases infestations, loss of soil fertility, reduction in yield, among others (Chepkoech et al 2018). Table 3 presents the perception of UIVs farmers to some of these anomalies brought about by climate change in the study area in relation to UIVs production.…”

“…Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2014) also predicted climate change increasing current problems and also generating new ones for natural and human systems. Likewise, Boko et al (2007) predicted that reductions in yield of up to 50% in some countries in Africa by 2020 and net crop revenue by as much as 90% by 2100 could be attributed to climate change, smallholder farmers being mostly affected, especially the rural farmers who depend largely on rain-fed agriculture (Ching and Stabinsky 2011). Until adaptive or palliative measures are inaugurated to mollify the effects of climate change, food security in developing countries in the tropics, particularly in Nigeria, will be under threat (Enete 2014), considering the high rate of population growth.…”

“…Recent research found out that these underutilized indigenous crops have the ability to grow under water-scarce conditions and that the key to future food and nutrition security may lie in their untapped potentials (Mabhaudhi et al 2016). More recent research shows qualitatively that climate change has both positive and negative effects on indigenous vegetables and the predicted negative effect cannot be overemphasized (Chepkoech et al 2018). Indigenous vegetables farmers, therefore, adopt a number of adaptation strategies to mitigate the effect of climate change on their production activities.…”