Response Strategies by Agro-Pastoral Farmers to Effects of Climate Variability in Laikipia West Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Aims: This study assessed the effects of Climate variability on Agro-pastoral farmers’ livelihoods and response strategies. Study Design: The study employed a social survey research design, to examine household perceptions on climate variability and response strategies by agro-pastoral farmers to climate variability. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Laikipia West region, between August 2015 and March 2016. Methodology: A questionnaire was administered to 400 agro-pastoral farmers and interviews were held with 20 key informants from relevant institutions. Data was processed and analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results: The study findings revealed that, agro-pastoralists perceived that rainfall had decreased while temperatures had increased. The main response strategies employed by agro-pastoralists were: crop diversification, use of both organic and chemical fertilizers, planting drought tolerant crops and tree planting. Conclusion: Agro-pastoral farmers in Laikipia West Sub-County are engaging in various response strategies to climate variability. There are fundamental changes in livelihoods such as crop diversification, rainwater harvesting, irrigation, mixed cropping, mixed farming, keeping of browsers and tree planting. However, currently there is promotion of drought tolerant crops, use of greenhouses, fallow cropping amongst others. There is need for integration of scientific and traditional ecological knowledge as well as climate smart agriculture for better adaptation to the effects of climate variability.