An Assessment of Adaptation Measures to Climate Variability by Smallholder Farmers in South Sakwa Ward, Siaya County, Kenya

Abstract

One of the key sectors in sub-Saharan Africa affected by climate variability is agriculture. The effects of climate variability results in low agricultural output and smallholder farmers are the most affected. This research aimed to interrogate how smallholder farmers from South Sakwa Ward of Siaya County, Kenya, perceive and respond to climate variability. The specific objectives were to 1) examine smallholder farmers’ knowledge on climate variability; 2) determine the effect of climate variability on smallholder farming; 3) assess adaptation measures to climate variability of smallholder farmers; and 4) examine the role of community organizations and government agencies in enhancing climate adaptation measures. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used in order to select the participating villages and smallholder crop farmers in South Sakwa Ward for the study. The first stage was to select one out of the forty-seven counties in Kenya, Siaya county was selected due to its unique agro ecological zones. Thereafter out of the six administrative wards in Bondo sub-County. South Sakwa Ward was selected purposively due to its fragile environment, frequency of drought, and familiarity of the researcher with the area. The second stage involved the selection of study villages in South SakwaWard. Three villages in South Sakwa Ward, namely, Wichlum, Wagusu and Gombe were selected for the study based on the consideration of similarity in frequent food shortage, as well as representation of similar agroecological profiles and livelihood systems (i.e. crop farming). Lastly, smallholder crop farmers in each of the villages were selected systematically using a sample population of smallholder crop farmers obtained from the Ward Administrator. The sample size was 130 smallholder farmers, as well as 7 key informants. The study has four major findings and conclusions. First, age of farmer, education level of farmer, and duration of farming experience influence the knowledge of a smallholder farmer about climate variability. However, no significant difference in knowledge was observed based on gender. Second, climatic variability directly affects farming activity and productivity. In conclusion smallholder farmers depend on onset of rainfall to start planting their crop and in the event that the rains are delayed or are lower than average, the crop productivity is affected negatively. Similarly, prolonged high temperatures lead to drying of crops in the field before they mature leading to low productivity in a season. Low rainfall combined with high temperature is a critical challenge that smallholder farmers face. Third, smallholder farmers require multiple adaptation measures in order to cope with climate variability. A farmer’s economic status will determine his/her ability to choose one or more adaptation mechanisms and thus economic status of a smallholder farmer determines the extent to which he/she can adapt to climate variability. Lastly, smallholder farmers are receiving assistance in the form of trainings, farm input such as improved seedling and fertilize, as well as weather information services. However, this assistance is mainly being offered by Non-Governmental Organizations that operate within close proximity to the villages. The study recommends that the national and county government must be at the forefront in addressing climate threats to the agricultural sector by putting smallholder farmers at the center of climate resilience actions. Smallholder farmers need regular and accurate climate information in order to make correct judgement concerning adaptation to climate variability. In conclusion, future researches on climate adaptation need to focus on the gender varied impacts of climate. This study has showed that female farmers are disproportionately impacted and subsequently participate actively in climate variability adaptation.