Influence of Social Capital on Adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture: Evidence From Nyando Basin, Southwestern Kenya

Abstract

Climate change is threatening smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, specifically in the sub-Saharan region. In Kenya, floods, droughts and temperature rise have had an adverse impact on livestock and crop production resulting in acute food crises. Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices are aimed at improving food security. Although CSAs have, in recent times, received widespread goodwill through social groupings and CBOs in the Nyando region, not all farmers have adopted them. Thus, this study looks into the effect of social capital on uptake of CSAs. The Poisson regression was used to analyze data collected from 122 farmers in Nyakach and Soin-Sigowet sub-counties through face-to-face interviews using the ODK tool kit. The study point out that membership to farmer groups has been on a steady rise as classified in the statistics. It concludes that membership to farmer groups has a positive influence on the adoption of CSA practices. Further, the results points out a significant relationship between awareness and education, and further with adoption. It is found that increased investment in education tend to boost the adoption of CSA practices. Education should thereby be extended to organized Community Based Organizations and diverse farmers groups to increase their uptake of the new farming techniques. The governments should come up with prudent policy mechanisms and structures that support Farmer groups in order to ensure their sustainability and efficiency in the society.