Effects Of Trends Of Climate Variability And Small-Scale Farmers’ Perception And Adaptation Strategies In Kijabe Location, Kiambu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken in Kijabe location where small-scale farmers depend on rain fed agriculture and over the years, frequent crop failure due to rain shortages has become common. Climate scientists predict increasingly dry conditions in much of Africa due to climate variability. Small-scale farmers’ efforts to adapt have shown both unfavourable and positive effects and hence the need to be explored. This study therefore examined the small-scale farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate variability, in Kijabe location, Kiambu County, Kenya. The study evaluated trends in rainfall and temperature between1983 and 2013, assessed how these trends of climate variability have affected farmers’ perception in climate variability and also explored small-scale farmers’ adaptation strategies. The study further analysed how socioeconomic factors influence small-scale farmers’ adaptation to climate variability in Kijabe. Mixed method approach was adopted in addressing the objectives of the study. The study employed simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires, interviews, field observations and review of documents, techniques and tools were employed to generate relevant data. Qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques were adopted and results presented using frequency tables, bar graphs and pie charts. Results of the study established that small scale farmers in Kijabe experienced climate variability in the period 1983-2013. The results of this study established a positive relationship between temperature variation and adaptation by small scale farmers in Kijabe. Small scale farmers who detected an increase in temperature were more likely to adapt compared to those who have not detected any increase in temperature (r= 0.015, p