Indigenous Adaptation Strategies Research Articles

Farmers’ perceptions of severe climate risks and adaptation interventions in indigenous communities in northern Ghana

Perceptions of climate change are widely studied and documented. However, understandings of conceptions and experiences of severe climate risks in indigenous farming communities are insufficient. This research respond to that knowledge gap with evidence from selected indigenous farming communities in northern Ghana through a mixed-method approach. Results from the empirical data show that farmers perceive severe climate risk to mean livelihood disruption throughout the season, unproductive farmlands, ineffective adaptation and inability to break even. The logistic regression estimates show that gender, marital status, livelihood activity and ecological zone are all influential factors that are likely to predict farmers’ perceptions of severe climate risk. Farmers in northern Ghana experience severe physical climate risks such as extreme droughts, extreme temperatures, severe heatwaves, frequent floods and severe water stress. To mitigate severe physical climate risks and disasters, individual farmers implement indigenous adaptation strategies such as livelihood diversification, construction of hand-dug wells in farms, migration, building of mounds or ridges, and early marriage of young girls. Collectively, farming communities culturally utilize animal sacrifices and spiritual incantations to invoke rains to address prolonged droughts. Understanding severe climate risks and their determinants will provide good policy guidelines for early warning systems to sustainably improve livelihood and food security in resource-constrained communities.

Climate Change Adaptation and the Agriculture–Food System in Myanmar

The agricultural sector provides employment and income to the majority of Myanmar’s population. The sector, however, is extremely susceptible to severe weather, rising temperatures, and changes in precipitation. A lack of knowledge about farming communities’ climate change vulnerabilities, as well as the insufficient integration of policies and programs, is a constraint to climate change adaptation in agriculture sectors. This paper analyzes the drivers of the agricultural sector’s vulnerability to climate change and highlights the key production systems that are most at risk in Myanmar. The paper examines historical climate information and the anticipated effects of climate change. We include an in-depth literature review and summaries of climate change adaptation efforts in agriculture sectors, along with recommendations for targeted, locally appropriate actions to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector. Farm households use a combination of scientific and indigenous adaptation strategies to cope with the effects of climate change. Additionally, the study reviews Myanmar’s institutional framework for climate action and government priorities for adaptation measures, emphasizes the urgent need for climate action in agriculture sectors, and calls for more research and development efforts on the effects of climate change on rural livelihoods and agriculture.

Eruditing from indigenous adaptation strategies for resilient and sustainable coastal erosion management in southeastern Ghana

Ghana is witnessing an increase in the construction of coastal flood defence walls on its coast but the effects of the coastal defence on people have not been well documented. This paper explores two issues: (1) indigenous strategies for preventing sea erosion and (2) the effects the modern coastal flood defence structures constructed along the southeastern coast of Ghana are having on the people. This study provides new insights into the understanding of indigenous methods that were used to address coastal flooding in the eastern section of Ghana and the effects the modern coastal defence structures are having on the people. Through multiphase sampling, a sample of 282 residents living in 17 communities affected by sea erosion in the Keta, Anloga, and Ada East District Assemblies where coastal defence structures were constructed were selected. Questionnaires were administered to these 282 respondents. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were also held in three communities, namely Keta, Atorkor and Totepe where coastal defence structures were constructed. The planning officers of the 3 district assemblies, the chief fishermen in the 3 communities where the FGDs were held, leaders of salt winners and 3 elders in each community were the key informants. Using descriptive statistics, the study revealed that, indigenous strategies like filling the beach with sand, building away from the seashore, and raising the foundations of buildings were used to protect the houses and communities from sea erosion but these strategies are no longer working thereby forcing the government to construct ‘modern’ coastal flood defence wallson the coast. The ‘modern’ coastal defence structures are in some places protecting the people and the land since they no longer experience sea erosion on a large scale. However, in places where armour rocks are used to protect the land, people now see them as preventing them from enjoying the natural beach as they used to and as a hindrance to their livelihoods of fishing. It is recommended that, as far as possible, soft engineering strategies like beach nourishment or sand dunes which are in line with the indigenous methods be used since they can lead to easy adaptation for sustainability.

Influence of climate change knowledge on selection of indigenous adaptive strategies among cash crop farmers

Climate change continues to threaten humanity’s livelihoods, particularly those dependent on agriculture. Gradual changes in climate pose a significant threat to food security and sustainable agricultural productivity around the globe. This paper sought to investigate the influence of climate change knowledge on the selection of indigenous climate change adaptive strategies. The study was conducted in Vhembe district of Limpopo province, South Africa, in 2021. Structured questionnaires were administered to 300 emerging cash crop farmers during face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to gain insight into the farmers’ knowledge of climate change. A multinomial logistic model was used to determine the influence of climate change knowledge on the selection of indigenous adaptation strategies. The study discovered that most farmers were aware of climate change and subsequently preferred crop diversification and substitution of crops as their ideal adaptation strategies. This study recommends that adaptation to climate change should be a collaborative effort among the farming community.

Integrating Local and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK) Systems into Climate Adaptation Policy for Resilience Building, and Sustainability in Agriculture

With the inception of global climate change and its related risks, impacts, and challenges many rural and indigenous communities across the globe are today facing tremendous cultural, economic, and environmental change which is likely going to weaken their adaptability and resilience capacities to climate change. Indigenous and local people have for centuries been known to possess the capacity to adapt to environmental change within their ecological environment. However, in the face of profound and continuous global environmental change, some scholars have argued and projected that cultural, biological diversity, as well as local resilience capacities to environmental change, will likely be severely impacted leading to the ultimate loss of these valuable sources of livelihood and survival of the many remote, rural, and local communities across the world. Despite this popular notion that local and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK) systems will disappear, the academic vision of local and IEK has progressively shifted from being viewed as a static body of knowledge to one of dynamism. Today, this knowledge is being hybridized through the accommodation of new forms of information or its exposition to external socio-economic drivers. Therefore, its relevance and the role it plays in disaster risk management, natural resource conservation, and management, and now in climate change adaptation must be clearly understood, acknowledged, and given the utmost attention, it deserves if we are to fully address the impacts emanating from a warming climate. In understanding the role and relevance of local and IEK systems in climate change adaptation and disaster risk management this paper analyzes present climate change-related impacts on agriculture in Barisal Southern Bangladesh and identifies effective local and indigenous ecological knowledge adaptation mechanisms being utilized by the local people in this region for climate change adaptation, resilience building, and sustainability. Through literature reviews, fieldwork research, interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) the findings of this research indicate that local and indigenous adaptation strategies to climate change impacts are striving and are enhancing the adaptability and resilience capacities of the many poor local people in this region. This research, therefore, recommends that the usefulness and relevance of local and IEK must be acknowledged and incorporated into the mainstream developmental and climate change policies, particularly at the local and community level where resources are scarce, and the adaptability capacity, is weak.

Perception of Impacts of Climate Variability on Pastoralists and Their Adaptation/Coping Strategies in Fentale District of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Climate change has been threatening pastoral communities in Ethiopia as their economy is mainly based on rain-fed agriculture. The study area is one of the climate change prone area affected by climate induced shocks. To reduce the adverse effects of climate change, pastoral households need to recognize the changes already happening in their climate and employ climate change adaptation measures. Therefore, the present study was conducted in Fentale district, Central Ethiopia to determine the perceived adverse impacts of climate change and variability, the perception of pastoral households on the patterns of climate change and variability, and identify the adaptation/coping strategies of pastoralists to climate change impacts. A household questionnaire survey and focus group discussion were employed to collect primary data at a household level. A total of 130 pastoral households were sampled using random sampling. The data collected from household survey were analyzed using SPSS (version 20). The rainfall and temperature trends of the study area were analysed using Mann–Kendall test. The findings indicated significant decreasing trend of Belg rainfall and increasing trend of Kiremt rainfall for the period 1983–2017. The perception of pastoral households on rainfall and temperature trends was in line with the results of the recorded meteorological data analysis of the present study except the Kiremt rainfall and the long-term annual rainfall trends. The results indicated that pasture and water availability became scarce and livestock assets and productivity were highly reduced, due to adverse impacts of climate change and variability. The most important strategies deployed by the local people included (i) integrating livestock with crop production, (ii) livestock mobility, (iii) livestock diversification and herd composition change, (iv) decreased consumption, (v) remittance, (vi) cash for work and (vii) food aid. Therefore, the government should support and enhance household’s indigenous adaptation strategies through the provision of market access, early warning information, affordable credit access, and development of water points.

Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies to Changing Climate: Evidence from Farmers of Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka

This study elicits and understands farmers’ perceptions and indigenous adaptation strategies to mitigate climatic variability in northern dry zone of Karnataka. Pre-tested and structured interview schedule was used to collect data from the farmers using multi-stage random sampling technique. Statistical tool like Garret ranking technique was employed to identify and rank various adaptation strategies practiced by farmers towards changing climate. Results revealed that farmers experienced varying climatic condition in terms of decreasing and unpredictable rainfall, increase in temperature in recent years and frequent failure of monsoon. Climatic variability affected farming in terms of declining crop yields, frequent crop failure, sinking water level in bore wells and open wells and increased emergence of new pest and diseases. Farmers manifested resilience against changing climate by adopting combination of indigenous and modern scientific adaptation strategies such as crop diversification, mixed farming, water conservation structures, changing planting dates, seeking off-farm employment and adopting drought and heat tolerant varieties. Main barriers to adaptation were lack of knowledge about climate change, lack of timely availability of weather information and farm inputs. To enhance access and timely dissemination of weather forecasts information, timely availability of farm inputs and crop insurance mechanisms will have the scope to enhance farmers’ resilience to changing climate and adaptation.

The effect of cultural practices and perceptions on global climate change response among Indigenous peoples: a case study on the Tayal people in northern Taiwan

Many Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected by global climate change. Current research is focused on how Indigenous adaptation and mitigation strategies can be integrated into mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Through a mixed-methods approach, this study explored the effects of culture and local perceptions on coping strategies and adaptations to climate change among Indigenous communities, of which knowledge is inadequate, with a specific focus on two Indigenous Tayal communities in northern Taiwan (N = 101). From our findings, we developed a typology based on a polychoric factor analysis, which includes four key aspects: commercialized response; experience and anticipation; culture, preparedness and recovery; and external support and institutions. The typology shows that cultural practices and perceptions profoundly shape how Indigenous households respond to climate-related disasters and should therefore be incorporated more comprehensively into climate change adaptation and mitigation policy. Our findings reflect a nuanced understanding of Indigenous peoples’ complicated relationship with global climate change. The proposed typology could be used as a theoretical and/or policy-oriented framework to advance an agenda for strengthening Indigenous livelihood resilience to global climate change.

Indigenous Agricultural Practices and Adaptation Strategies Among Rural Farmers to Climate Change Incidence in Southwest, Nigeria

The prediction of climatic changes has the potential to severely affect rural farmers’ livelihoods, resulting in food insecurity, among other consequences. This study aimed to assess the indigenous agricultural practices and adaptation strategies among rural farmers to climate change incidence in Southwest, Nigeria. Primary data on the socio-economic characteristics, farming activities of rural farmers that contribute to climate changes, indigenous adaptation practices and factors influencing the adoption of these adaptation strategies in the study area. Multistage sampling techniques were used for the study. Two (Oyo and Ogun) of the six states in southwest Nigeria was selected purposively for the study Structured interview guide was used to elicit information from the rural farmers. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that above half (51.4%) of the respondents were between 41-60years age range. The mean age of rural farmers was 53.5years. 69.2% were married, 75.6% were Yoruba, 72.3% had formal education, and 63.2% of the rural farmers had between 11 - 25years of farming experience with the mean farming experience of 22years. The main farming activities that contribute to climate changes were bush burning, continuous farming activities, overgrazing and use of fertilizer application. Majority (85.7%) of the respondents utilize multiple/intercropping farming, 82.3% utilize resistant varieties and 81.1% utilize mulching as indigenous adaptation strategies. Factors influencing the adoption of these adaptation strategies were shifting in planting date, access to extension service and training and indigenous knowledge practice. Regression result reveals that age, sex, household size and educational level were factors influencing the adoption of these adaptation strategies at 1%, 5% and 10% in the study area. The study concludes that various adaptation strategies were used by the rural farmers in response to altered farming resulting from experienced environmental degradation due to or similarly situated to events associated with climate change. It is therefore recommended that most of the strategies/practices currently used by rural farmers should be improved upon to ensure appropriate sustainable agricultural development in the country. Keywords: Indigenous, Agriculture, Practices, Adaptation, Strategies, Climate Change, Southwest; DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-7-03 Publication date: July 31 st 2020

Determinants of Adoption of Indigenous Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation among the Tharaka People in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

This study envisaged establishing the factors affecting adoption of indigenous climate change adaptation strategies in Kenya. The study would help in proper targeting of adaptation measures among Kenyas’ indigenous communities and avoid past trends where adopted measures have often failed. The study uses descriptive research design based on a three-stage multi-stage sampling design with data being collected from primary and secondary sources. Data analysis was done using the Spearman’s rank correlation analysis and various qualitative methods. The study found out that indigenous people have experienced a serious reduction in rainfall and changes in rainfall patterns. There has been an increase in temperature and the length of dry periods. Wind strengths and speeds have also increased. These have had various negative impacts on their livelihoods. The study established that perception of climate change has a significant positive relationship with adoption of indigenous adaptation strategies. Socioeconomic factors of age, local experience, income level, income diversity and land size were found to have a positive significant association while education and household dependency had a negative significant relationship with adoption. Household size and gender had no significant relationship. Institutional factors such as information access, market access, credit access, participation and membership to social networks were found to have a positive significant relationship with adoption of indigenous climate change adaptation strategies. Individualization of land tenure was also found to negatively affect adoption. Access to extension services had a significant negative relationship with adoption. The study recommends the need to orient climate change adaptation measures on the perceptions and strategies of indigenous people taking cognizance of their underlying factors. Prior assessments before undertaking adaptation actions are thus recommended.

Fulani herders and indigenous strategies of climate change adaptation in Kpongu community, North-Western Ghana: implications for adaptation planning

ABSTRACT The literature on indigenous adaptation strategies has generally focused on food crop farming with limited perspectives on livestock production, particularly in Africa. This study draws on qualitative data to identify and categorize the various indigenous adaptation strategies of herdsmen in cattle production. The results reveal multiple indigenous strategies of climate change adaptation in cattle herding among the Fulani. These include mobility-based strategies, diversification of sources of feed, labour division for meeting differentiated needs of cattle, and stress management in cattle. The results suggest that the integration of indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation planning is imperative for developing socially acceptable and sustainable adaptation strategies. This will require a bridge of the differences between formal and informal stakeholders in adaptation planning by creating a common platform for dialogue at all levels in arid environments.

Assessment of Indigenous Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Its Impacts on Food Crop Yields in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria

This study investigated effects of indigenous climate change adaptation strategies on food crop yields in Osun State, southwestern Nigeria. It assessed changes in future climate (2031–2055) relative to the baseline period (1992–2016) and their impacts on the yields of 3 staple food crops (maize, rice and cassava). Robustness of the identified adaptation options adopted by local farmers was examined with a view to evaluating the opportunities of integrating indigenous adaptation options for climate-smart agriculture (CSA). A regional climate–crop modeling system (RegCM-DSSAT) and structured questionnaire were used for the study. A warmer and wetter future climate was projected with higher frequency of occurrence of false start of rainfall. Results also suggested future rise in the yield of cassava (8.2%) but declines in maize (− 9.2%) and rice (− 3.6%). Use of organic fertilizer, irrigation or fadama farming system and change in planting dates were ranked highly efficient indigenous adaptation strategies for improved crop yields. Model simulations projected 3.9% increase in cassava yield when irrigation farming system was adopted. This approach was found to offset the negative impact of future warming on the yields of maize and rice and increased their yields by 6.53% and 1.31%, respectively. Combined use of fertilizer and change in planting date was found to significantly enhance yields of maize (27.53%) and rice (21.49%). The paper concludes that integrated approach to indigenous climate change adaptation strategies, as required in CSA, could significantly reduce negative effects of future warming on food crop yields.

Assessment of ecosystem services in the Wildlife Reserve of Togodo (South East of Togo, West Africa) and vulnerability-adaptation of surrounding communities to climate variability and change effects

This study aims at contributing to the vulnerability and adaptation to climate changes (CC) analysis of bordering communities of Togodo Reserve, in order to enhance their resilience. Specifically, the present study attempted to (i) identify the climatic hazards of the WRT; (ii) determine the impacts of climate variability and change on their livelihoods; (iii) assess the socio-economic vulnerability of these communities to food insecurity in relation to CC; and (iv) identify indigenous adaptation strategies to control the effects of CC. The methodological approach used is based on a factual research and a field investigation. The investigation is conducted in two villages around the reserve, namely Deve and Gbohoule. The results showed that climate variability and change were appreciated in different indicators by the local communities living around the WRT: Droughts, flooding, high winds and temperature increase with severe consequences on the communities (famine, destruction of tangible and intangible properties, loss of human life, populations’ migration). The communities are aware that humans are responsible for these events that have become recurrent from 2007 and occur almost every year. According to them, the causes of climate changes are deforestation (due to overexploitation of timber, fuelwood and shifting agriculture), bush fires, rapid increase in population, anger of gods due to irregularities of sacrifices and violations of customs. The communities are vulnerable to main climatic hazards and suffered from food insecurity. The factorial correspondence analysis (FCA)) carried out shows that the perception of the degree of exposure of households to risks depends on their standard of livelihood. Facing these climate events, the populations develop many adaptive strategies of which most are consistent with the national orientations and strategies. These adaptive strategies must be reinforced and supported in order to reduce the vulnerability of these populations to climate changes. Key words: Climate variability and change, communities, livelihood, vulnerability and adaptation, Wildlife Reserve of Togodo.

Climate Change Evolution and Indigenous Methods of Flood Control in the Upper Nun Valley of Cameroon

This study discusses the evolution of climate change and the use of indigenous methods of flood control in the Upper Nun Valley of Cameroon. The local farmers of the Ndop plain have developed and implemented extensive indigenous farming systems as adaptation strategies to reduce the vulnerability of climate variability over the years. However, these indigenous methods of flood control have not been sustainable enough to guard against severe flood incidences in the Ndop Plain as a result of climate change impact. This paper examines climate change evolution in the region and highlights some indigenous adaptation strategies practised in the Upper Nun Valley and the benefits of integrating such indigenous knowledge into formal climate change adaptation strategies. To ensure stability in food production and sustain food sufficiency in areas where local economies entirely depend on farming and the natural state of the environment, it is important to investigate the indigenous strategies put in place and the extent to which they combat floods in the Ndop Plain. Field surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, participant observation methods and secondary sources were used to collect data from selected villages where rice cultivation and market gardening products are on the increase. Based on climatic data for the region, the simple forecasting method using the forecasting line was used to predict future changes in climatic conditions for the region and the extent to which they may cause floods. The data collected were analyzed in both qualitative and quantitative terms to provide information for the discussion. The results reveal that changes in temperature and rainfall have altered the climatic conditions of the region leading to increased flood incidences in the Plain. The paper posited that a sustainable adaptation mechanism should take into consideration the widening of the drains as well as minimizing the cultivation of crops on the drains which serve as gateways to excessive water into the rice fields. The study also recommends the need to incorporate indigenous knowledge into climate change policies that can lead to the development of effective adaptation strategies that are cost-effective, participatory and sustainable.

Climate Change Information Source and Indigenous Adaptation Strategies of Cucumber Farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study assessed the climate change information source and the indigenous adaptation strategies of cucumber farmers in Enugu State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting 80 respondents. Data were elicited using structured interview schedule and presented in percentage and mean scores. Findings showed that the majority (92.5%) of cucumber farmers never had contact with extension workers. Information on climate change was mainly from neighbours/friends and personal experience. The indigenous strategies employed for climate change adaptation were organic manure ( =2.91), crop diversification (=2.75), early harvesting ( =2.74) planting early maturing varieties ( =2.59), prompt weeding ( =2.79) among others. The major challenges encountered by the respondents included poor market facility ( =2.36), non-availability of credit facility ( =2.74), non-availability of storage facilities ( =2.75), high cost of labour ( =2.48), poor access to information sources ( =2.30), limited income ( =2.58). It was recommended that high level awareness via media campaign be employed by government extension agency to educate cucumber farmers on climate change issues. Also, a sustainable national climate change policy should be championed by the Ministry of Agriculture to build farmers capability to adapt to climate change. Also, government should intervene in the issues of credit, input/facilities and map out a framework to guarantee access to land by farmers for enhanced resilience and expand of production.Keywords: Climate change, indigenous, information, adaptation, strategies, cucumber, farmers

Climate Change Information Source and Indigenous Adaptation Strategies of Cucumber Farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study assessed the climate change information source and the indigenous adaptation strategies of cucumber farmers in Enugu State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting 80 respondents. Data were elicited using structured interview schedule and presented in percentage and mean scores. Findings showed that the majority (92.5%) of cucumber farmers never had contact with extension workers. Information on climate change was mainly from neighbours/friends and personal experience. The indigenous strategies employed for climate change adaptation were organic manure ( =2.91), crop diversification (=2.75), early harvesting ( =2.74) planting early maturing varieties ( =2.59), prompt weeding ( =2.79) among others. The major challenges encountered by the respondents included poor market facility ( =2.36), non-availability of credit facility ( =2.74), non-availability of storage facilities ( =2.75), high cost of labour ( =2.48), poor access to information sources ( =2.30), limited income ( =2.58). It was recommended that high level awareness via media campaign be employed by government extension agency to educate cucumber farmers on climate change issues. Also, a sustainable national climate change policy should be championed by the Ministry of Agriculture to build farmers capability to adapt to climate change. Also, government should intervene in the issues of credit, input/facilities and map out a framework to guarantee access to land by farmers for enhanced resilience and expand of production.Keywords: Climate change, indigenous, information, adaptation, strategies, cucumber, farmers

Effect of climate variability on crop income and indigenous adaptation strategies of households

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effect of climate variability on smallholders’ crop income and the determinants of indigenous adaptation strategies in three districts (Mieso, Goba-koricha and Doba) of West Hararghe Zone of Ethiopia. These three districts are located in high-moisture-stress areas because of crop season rainfall variability.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data collected from 400 sample households were used for identifying factors that affect households’ crop income. The study used ordinary least square (OLS) regression to examine the effect of climate variability. Given this, binary logit model was used to assess smallholders’ adaptation behavior. Finally, the study used multinomial logistic regression to identify determinants of smallholders’ indigenous adaptation strategies.FindingsThe OLS regression result shows that variability in rainfall during the cropping season has a significant and negative effect, and cropland and livestock level have a positive effect on farmers’ crop income. The multinomial logistic regression result reveals that households adopt hybrid crops (maize and sorghum) and dry-sowing adaptation strategies if there is shortage during the cropping season. Variability in rainfall at the time of sowing and the growing are main factors in the area’s crop production. Cropland increment has positive and significant effect on employing each adaptation strategy. The probability of adopting techniques such as water harvesting, hybrid seeds and dry sowing significantly reduces if a household has a large livestock.Originality/valueThe three districts are remote and accessibility is difficult without due support from institutions. Thus, this study was conducted on the basis of the primary data collected by the researchers after securing grant from Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

Smallholder farmers\u2019 adaptation to climate change and determinants of their adaptation decisions in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

BackgroundThe agricultural sector remains the main source of livelihoods for rural communities in Ethiopia, but faces the challenge of changing climate. This study investigated how smallholder farmers perceive climate change, what adaptation strategies they practice, and factors that influence their adaptation decisions. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study, and a multinomial logit model was employed to identify the factors that shape smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies.ResultsThe results show that 90% of farmers have already perceived climate variability, and 85% made attempts to adapt using practices like crop diversification, planting date adjustment, soil and water conservation and management, increasing the intensity of input use, integrating crop with livestock, and tree planting. The econometric model indicated that education, family size, gender, age, livestock ownership, farming experience, frequency of contact with extension agents, farm size, access to market, access to climate information and income were the key factors determining farmers’ choice of adaptation practice.ConclusionIn the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia, climate change is a pressing problem, which is beyond the capacity of smallholders to respond to autonomously. Farmers’ capacity to choose effective adaptation options is influenced by household demography, as well as positively by farm size, income, access to markets, access to climate information and extension, and livestock production. This implies the need to support the indigenous adaptation strategies of the smallholder farmers with a wide range of institutional, policy, and technology support; some of it targeted on smaller, poorer or female-headed households. Moreover, creating opportunities for non-farm income sources is important as this helps farmers to engage in those activities that are less sensitive to climate change. Furthermore, providing climate change information, extension services, and creating access to markets are crucial.

Farmers’ Uses of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices to Cope with Climate Change in Kilifi County, Kenya

Farmers in Kilifi County (located along the Kenyan Coast) suffer from the effects of climate change, such as floods and extended droughts, yet their adaptive capacity remains low due to high poverty rates and unreliable weather forecasting information. In this context, traditional knowledge and practices provide an important informal and, to some extent, time-tested basis for dealing in part with the challenges of climate change. This paper highlights some of the indigenous adaptation and mitigation strategies that farmers in Kilifi County have reported to use to infer changes in weather patterns and to cope with the effects of climate change. The challenges and limitations they faced with the use of this knowledge are discussed. This paper recommends the integration of Indigenous knowledge into formal climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in order to provide farmers with sustainable farming strategies that are contextually and culturally rich. Second, the need for financial support for farmers to access sustainable technologies such as seeds for planting drought-resistant crops is highlighted.

Indigenous Knowledge: Sources, Potency and Practices to Climate Adaptation in the Small-Scale Farming Sector

Due to the socio-cultural distinctiveness of indigenous communities from mainstream societies, decisions, policies and actions other than their own on climate adaptation may prove insufficient, inappropriate and ill-adapted even if well-intended. A lucid understanding of indigenous adaptation practices, sources and potencies for climate change and its antecedents allow small holder farmers to manipulate current knowledge to adequately optimize general efforts and improve climate adaptation interventions. The study utilized a sampled size of 218 (N=218) smallholder farmers in randomly selected communities in the Sekyere South district. The mixed method approach to data analysis were utilized in the analysis of data from the study respondents. The study revealed that the sources of knowledge about changes in the environment were centered on observed changes in weather phenomena, physical changes on trees (flowering, shedding of leaves, etc.) and behaviors of certain animal species (birds, amphibians, insects, and arthropods) The study again revealed specific indigenous adaptation strategies applied by smallholder farmers in coping with climate change including ending farming or building in waterways or lowlands areas, planting resistant crop or early yielding varieties, planting more trees of cover crops, irrigation practices among others. The findings underscore the need for farmers' education, awareness creation, poverty alleviation and increased access to more efficient inputs as powerful tools for climate change adaptation in Sekyere South District.