The contribution of climate smart agriculture practices in mitigating farmers against maize yield losses, a case of Bukembe Ward in Bungoma County

Abstract

Over the years, the causes of climatic changes have been visible in the agriculture sector. It is noted that agricultural practices have the potential to mitigate climate change through climate-smart agricultural practices thus increases production and income of farmers. This study assesses how the effects of intercropping maize with legumes and using animal manure alongside planting of high yielding certified maize varieties mitigates farmers against maize yield losses in Bukembe ward of Bungoma County. A questionnaire set up in Open Data Kit (ODK) was administered to collect data from 250 randomly selected maize producing farmers. Ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis was performed to ascertain if the climate-smart agriculture practices used in maize production increased maize yields hence mitigating the farmer against maize yield losses. The overall model was significant at P < 0.05 with an R –squared of 42%. Intercropping maize with legumes and adding manure to the maize crop was significant at P < 0.01; planting high yielding certified maize varieties was significant at P < 0.05. Few farmers planted high yielding certified maize varieties and added manure to the maize crop. This study recommends that farmers should be encouraged to add manure when planting maize and use high yielding certified maize varieties every season. Planting high yielding certified maize varieties, intercropping maize with beans and use of manure increases maize yields. Manure helps in the soil organic matter and soil moisture retention properties