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Climate change perceptions and adaptations of smallholder farmers in Eastern Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Edith Afandi Kichamu

    (The University of Queensland
    Ministry of Agriculture)

  • John Safari Ziro

    (The University of Queensland
    Ministry of Agriculture)

  • Gomathy Palaniappan

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Helen Ross

    (The University of Queensland)

Abstract

Several studies have indicated the importance of understanding farmers’ perceptions of risks associated with climate change, the adaptation strategies they employ and factors that affect adaptive capacity. This study aimed to understand smallholder farmers’ perceptions of climate change, adaptation strategies and adaptive capacity in the semiarid Matungulu Sub-County, Eastern Kenya. A participatory approach, using three climate roundtables, was conducted to enhance community participation and understanding of climate change issues. The study showed that farmers’ perceptions concerning climate change are influenced by past experiences of weather extremes that have affected production levels and farm incomes. The farmers have made strategic responses to manage risks posed by climate change. However, they face several challenges in adaptation such as inadequate technical knowledge, low financial resources and inadequate land size. Further, the study showed that climate roundtables is a successful participatory approach that can give effective insights for smallholder farmers to understand agricultural vulnerability, climate change and their adaptation strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Edith Afandi Kichamu & John Safari Ziro & Gomathy Palaniappan & Helen Ross, 2018. "Climate change perceptions and adaptations of smallholder farmers in Eastern Kenya," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 20(6), pages 2663-2680, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:20:y:2018:i:6:d:10.1007_s10668-017-0010-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-017-0010-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nguyen, Thi Phuoc Lai & Seddaiu, Giovanna & Virdis, Salvatore Gonario Pasquale & Tidore, Camillo & Pasqui, Massimiliano & Roggero, Pier Paolo, 2016. "Perceiving to learn or learning to perceive? Understanding farmers' perceptions and adaptation to climate uncertainties," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 205-216.
    2. Helen Ross & Sylvie Shaw & David Rissik & Neil Cliffe & Susie Chapman & Vanessa Hounsell & James Udy & Nghia Trinh & Jess Schoeman, 2015. "A participatory systems approach to understanding climate adaptation needs," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 129(1), pages 27-42, March.
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    4. Kabubo-Mariara, Jane & Karanja, Fredrick K, 2007. "The economic impact of climate change on Kenyan crop agriculture : a ricardian approach," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4334, The World Bank.
    5. B. Fosu-Mensah & P. Vlek & D. MacCarthy, 2012. "Farmers’ perception and adaptation to climate change: a case study of Sekyedumase district in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 495-505, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Benjamin Kipkemboi Kogo & Lalit Kumar & Richard Koech, 2021. "Climate change and variability in Kenya: a review of impacts on agriculture and food security," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(1), pages 23-43, January.
    2. Kumar Bahadur Darjee & Ramesh Kumar Sunam & Michael Köhl & Prem Raj Neupane, 2021. "Do National Policies Translate into Local Actions? Analyzing Coherence between Climate Change Adaptation Policies and Implications for Local Adaptation in Nepal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-32, November.
    3. András Darabant & Birgit Habermann & Kibruyesfa Sisay & Christopher Thurnher & Yonas Worku & Selamawit Damtew & Mara Lindtner & Leisa Burrell & Abrham Abiyu, 2020. "Farmers’ perceptions and matching climate records jointly explain adaptation responses in four communities around Lake Tana, Ethiopia," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 481-497, November.
    4. Wei Feng & Wei Ding & Miaomiao Fei & Yujun Yang & Weihan Zou & Ling Wang & Meng Zhen, 2021. "Effects of traditional block morphology on wind environment at the pedestrian level in cold regions of Xi’an, China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 3218-3235, March.
    5. Viviana Tudela & Pablo Sarricolea & Roberto Serrano-Notivoli & Oliver Meseguer-Ruiz, 2023. "A pilot study for climate risk assessment in agriculture: a climate-based index for cherry trees," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 115(1), pages 163-185, January.

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