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Abstract
Climate variability and change are some of the most pressing environmental challenges in semi-arid Kenya and Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and are associated with persistent droughts, dry spells and erratic rains. The present study aimed at determining exposure and adaptation mechanisms among selected small-scale farmers cultivating drought tolerant crops in Wote, Makueni County, Eastern Kenya in the period 2003 to 2013. The sampled 120 farmers cultivate sorghum, cow peas and pigeon peas, which are some of the dominant multipurpose crops. Data collection methods included the use of semi-structured questionnaires. Results indicated that household level vulnerability was caused by exposure to extreme events: Drought (100%) and erratic rains (59%). Key drought adaptation means were drought resistant crops, 65%; terracing, 28%; and crop diversification, 13%. A multiple regression model, R2=0.319, indicated that age, gender and land size influenced adaptation choices significantly i²<0.05=0.027, 0.043 and 0.011, respectively. The results reveal prevailing exposure to extreme events at household level and further existing influence of responses by household social characteristics. From the results, the study mainly recommends adoption of alternative income activities, including on farm value addition, coupling of indigenous and modern adaptation mechanisms and provision of comprehensive climate information services. Key words: Climate change and variability, vulnerability, adaptation, smallholder farmers, semi-arid, Kenya.
Highlights
IntroductionClimate variability and change have been identified as major challenges facing communities at local, regional and global levels in an array of ways as they lead to occurrence of droughts and floods (LVBC, 2011)
It is notable that events such as floods affect few of the households, 4.2%, and frost at 2%, indicate that the study area does experience heavy rainfall related impacts
This research sought to understand the vulnerability of selected small-scale farmers through reference to selected socio economic indicators
Summary
Climate variability and change have been identified as major challenges facing communities at local, regional and global levels in an array of ways as they lead to occurrence of droughts and floods (LVBC, 2011) These events have over time lead to sever and frequent calamities that often affect livelihoods of the already poor (Dixon et al, 2003). In Africa, such rain fed agriculture covers 97% of the crop land and is mainly practiced by rural small scale farmers who are part of the 62% of Africa‘s rural population (Calzadilla et al, 2009) Such numbers indicate high vulnerability to climate change impacts a situation that is worsened by non-climatic influences such as high cost of inputs and high population growth rates (Calzadilla et al, 2009; Tubiello and Fischer, 2007). Effects of extreme events resulting from climate change are becoming a major area of concern and will affect the poor in developing countries in a wide range of ways (Desanker and Justice, 2001) including amplifying poverty levels (Speranza et al, 2010)
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