Abstract: The World Bank (2015) estimates that around 1.01 billion people – 14.5 per cent of the world’s population – still live in extreme poverty (on less than $1.25 per day), with 46.8% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa experiencing extreme food deficit. This situation is majorly blamed upon climate change effects, thereby putting into question the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices by small holder farmers who are basically the producers of 70% of food crops in the World. In Kenya, most rural families in Nyakach Sub County consume below an average of 91 two kilogram tins per year as recommended by the World Food Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) (FAO, IFAD & WFP, 2014). This study sought to investigate the challenges faced by local farmers in adopting climate smart agriculture in Lower Nyakach Division in Kenya. Specific objectives were to: establish how climate change has impacted on food crop production; indigenous climate smart agricultural practices are employed; and the challenges faced by local farmers in adopting climate smart agricultural practices for adaptation to climate change. Descriptive cross sectional design was used on a target population of 2504 households stratified in 4 sub locations. The sample size comprised 10% of the target population as recommended by Gay & Diehl (1992), representing 250 households. Data was collected using structured questionnaire from household heads. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data using Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS) version 20. It was found that farmers were aware of common short and inconsistent patterns of rainfall, and floods in the recent past accompanied with strange diseases like Miguna Miguna and invasion of army worms. Multi cropping, intensive weeding, planting early maturing crops, and applying manure on the farms are some of the indigenous climate smart practices. Lack of credit and extension services were some of the challenges faced in adopting climate smart agriculture. It is recommended that extension officers should use village barazas to disseminate climate change information, and that capital support be availed to farmers to enhance their capabilities. Further studies should be done on contribution of radio broadcasts on adaptation to climate change, and effect of climate information flow on adaptation practices to climate change.
Keywords: CSA, Adoption, Climate change, local farmers, Challenges, Rural Agriculture, Capabilities.
Title: CHALLENGES FACED BY LOCAL FARMERS IN ADOPTING CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE (CSA) IN LOWER NYAKACH DIVISION
Author: Ochola Sylvance Onyango, Ikanda Fred Nyongesa
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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