Assessment of behavioural response to climate forecasts and climate change adaptation by small-holder farmers in Nambale sub-county of Busia county, Kenya

Abstract

Under climate change and unpredictable rainfall variability, rainfed agriculture has often been characterised with high degree of crop failure, especially when rainfall seasons portray anomalies in rainfall onsets and cessation. This study sought to establish the level of utilisation of climate forecasts and behavioural response to such products by the smallholder farmers in Nambale, Busia, Kenya. A total of 30 subsistence farmers were interviewed. Results showed that about 4 in every 5 farmers are largely unconscious of climate change and its effects and did not adhere to the climatic forecasts, instead, farming was subjected to the year-to-year routine practices, dependent on the traditional approaches. About 60% of the farmers lacked knowledge of climate change and believed that crop failure is beyond human understanding. 100% of the farmers planted maize in the two main planting seasons of March-April-May (MAM) and August-September-October (ASO), with about 86.7% of them least practicing crop diversification or intercropping. Furthermore, climate change adaptation interventions such as planting of early maturing, drought resistant crops and crop irrigation were unlikely among the farmers. Crop performance on an experimental farm established by the Nambale Science Place-Centre for Community Engagement on Climate Risk Interpretation (NSP-CCECRI), showed potential for enhanced farm production if farming activities are adhered to timely utilisation of climate forecasts. Based on these findings, and considering limited climate change adaptation strategies, there is need for sensitising smallholder farmers in enhancing knowledge on climate change and adaptation for enhanced food security, building community climate change resilience and alleviating poverty levels.