The Effects of Agricultural Drought on Livelihoods Vulnerability in Yatta Sub- County of Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Agriculture offers livelihoods to about (60%) 3/5 of Africa ‘s active work force, and still contributes 17% to the continent’s (Africa) total gross domestic product that accounts for its 2/5 of the total foreign currency earnings. In that, any long term changes in rainfall patterns and temperature zones shifts will lead to huge negative effects on agriculture, food provision and water availability in Africa. This study looked at the effects of changes in rainfall patterns and temperature variations on vulnerable livelihoods in Yatta. The research objectives of the study were; to determine the temporal and spatial characteristics of agricultural drought, analyze the impacts of agricultural drought on small scale farming and determine coping mechanisms to the effects of recurrent agricultural drought in the study area. The specific area of study was Ikombe ward in Yatta of Machakos County. The research used both secondary (obtained through e- journals and researches, relevant books and existing metrological reports) and primary data (obtained from the field) sources. Methods of data collection involved; Photography, interviews, field observation and questionnaires. A sample size of 100 respondents was selected using Nasurma’s formula from a study population of 34,684 using simple random sampling technique. The collected information was analyzed through descriptive statistics and then summarized using the Statistical Package for Social Science computer software version, rainfall anomaly index (RAI), correlation and regression analysis. The outcome of the analyzed data was presented using tables and graphs. Through the results it was clear that Yatta area’s temperature and rainfall had a negative correlation(r=-0.6) in that a decrease in rain was accessioned by an increase in temperature leading to agricultural drought. The study also established that in a period of five years, Yatta frequently encountered agricultural drought that lasted for 1- 2 years thus leading o shuttered and high livelihood vulnerability. Lastly it was established that most farmers in Yatta, had low levels of education that made it difficult for them to be involved in formulation of policies and new coping mechanisms thus increasing vulnerabilities of their livelihoods. The study concluded that agricultural drought occurred in the study area, when the weather conditions were hot and dry thus leading to high temperatures. Subsequently the study recommends that agricultural officers in Yatta should involve the farmers in the area in formulation of easily applicable mechanisms that will help them practice proper dry land farming that will be resistant to agricultural drought thus reduced livelihood vulnerability.