Farmer Perception and Adaptation Strategies on Climate Change in Lower Eastern Kenya: A Case of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production

Yvonne, M. and Richard, O. and Solomon, S. and George, K. (2016) Farmer Perception and Adaptation Strategies on Climate Change in Lower Eastern Kenya: A Case of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production. Journal of Agricultural Science, 8 (12). pp. 33-40.

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Abstract

Eastern Kenya, a semi-arid region, is characterized by low and erratic rainfall, high temperatures, and low soil fertility. Climate change has further worsened the situation leading to frequent droughts and hence increased food insecurity. Traditional crops like finger millet are possible solutions to combating changing climate due to their drought resistance nature, ability to produce high yields with little inputs and high nutritional content. It is against this backdrop that a survey was carried out in Mwala and Katangi divisions of Machakos and Kitui counties, respectively, to assess farmer’s perception on climate change, coping and adaptation mechanisms in finger millet production systems in smallholder farming systems of lower eastern Kenya. Data was collected, using semi-structured questionnaire, from 120 farmers i.e. 60 in each division. A stratified random sampling procedure, with location as a stratum was used to select respondent’s households. A computer random number generator was used to select number of households in each stratum. Maize and beans were the most popular crops grown by over 98% of the farmers in both sub-counties. Farmers also grew drought tolerant legumes; cow peas, green grams pigeon peas and cereals; sorghum and finger millet.....

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Arid and semi-arid areas, Climate change, Coping strategies, Finger millet, Food security
Author Affiliation: Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Subjects: Atmosperic Science > Climatology
Divisions: Millet
Depositing User: Mr B Krishnamurthy
Date Deposited: 10 Jan 2017 06:54
Last Modified: 10 Jan 2017 06:54
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jas.v8n12p33
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/14680

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