Climate Change Effects and the Resulting Adaptation Strategies of Smallholder Farmers in Three Different Ecological Zones (Kilifi, Embu and Budalangi) in Kenya

Smallholder farmers in Kenya are faced by effects of climate change which results to loss of crop and livestock productions. Consequently, smallholder farmers suffer crop and livestock losses, causing devastation and food insecurity situation. This study provides findings on the effects, adaptation approaches carried out by smallholder farmers of Embu, Kilifi and Budalangi to climate change. The study objectives were achieved through use of survey design. Mixed approach of quantitative and qualitative data analysis was applied. Sampling included multi stage sampling. Three study sites were chosen based on different ecosystem conditions in Kenya. Linear regression was used to demonstrated crops and rainfall trends. Mean temperatures noted to increase slightly and greater variations in the mean seasonal rainfalls in all the three study areas. Declining trend of crop yields was noted for Kilifi (R = - 0.032). The research findings evidently showed that climate change is impacting on smallholder farmers and farming systems in the study area.. Keywords: Smallholder farmers; climate change and adaptation strategie

Assessment of Factors Influencing Food Security in Wenje Division, Tana River County – Kenya

Access to food is recognized as a right as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). However, food security is still not universally treated as a basic human right. Despite the various progressive measures adopted by the Government of Kenya and Non-governmental organizations, the status of food security in Tana River County is appalling. This study was designed to assess the factors influencing food security in Wenje Division in Tana River County. The main purpose of the study was to assess the extent to which, climate change, governance, access to markets and land use affected food security. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Stratified random sampling was employed to select 390 (10%) out of a total population of 3,908 households. Data was collected using a questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions. Descriptive statistics and regression modeling were used to analyze quantitative data. Qualitative data was presented in narrative form. The key results from the study show that climate change (p=0.001) and land use (p=0.001) had a significant effect on food security. These factors were also found to have a negative influence on food security in the area. Further, statistical findings show a significant relationship between access to markets and food security, while governance was not found to have a significant influence on food security perhaps due to the solitary nature of the farming households. The study concluded that climate change, market access and land use have a significant influence on food security in Wenje Division, while governance was found not to have a significant influence on food security in the area. The study recommended that the government in partnership with other stakeholders should develop strategies to reduce reliance on rain fed agriculture to mitigate the effects of climate change on food security. The study also recommended land use training and planning to empower farmers with skills in the area to enhance food production. Finally, deliberate efforts should be made by the government and other development actors to enhance market access as this was also found to significantly influence food security in the area

Determination of the Status and Factors Influencing Occurrence and Adequacy of Panicum maximum (Guinea grass) in Tana Delta, Kenya

Panicum maximum is becoming extinct in Tana Delta, Kenya. The grass is declining at an increased rate due to poor management of this open to all natural pasture. The purpose of this study was to establish an alternative effective management practices for Panicum maximum as a source of pasture for pastoralist communities in Tana Delta. The findings of the study show that Panicum maximum has become inadequate (97%) for livestock in Tana Delta. Additionally, the satellite images correlates the above outcome that grass quantity has reduced over the years - when the satellite image of 1992 compared to that of 2015. The results further showed that inadequate rainfall (78%), lack of flooding (50%) and overstocking of herds in the grazing land (45%) as the main reason for Panicum maximum reduction. From the study, this reduction in quantity is therefore attributable to two main factors, namely; reduction in amount of rainfall and overstocking of cattle in the communal grazing areas. The study further concludes that hay production among the community formed a potent mitigation strategy against feed scarcity during dry seasons. Keywords: Panicum maximum, Satellite images, adequac

Social-Economic Factors Influencing Biogas Technology Adoption among Households in Kilifi County- Kenya

Biogas technology has been advanced around the world as a renewable source of energy by various organizations such as government agencies, International organizations and Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) (Rai, 2009). The technology is being advanced because of its health and environmental benefits (Brown, 2006).  In its effort to achieve vision 2030 the government of Kenya aspires to encourage wider adoption and use of biogas technology as one of the renewable energy sources. The purpose of this study was to analyze biogas technology adoption among households Kilifi County. The study examined the underlying factors of non adoption of biogas among households in Kilifi County. Descriptive survey research design was used. The sample size was made up of 150 respondents who were purposively sampled. Data was collected through structured questionnaire and focused group discussion and analyzed by use of SPSS version 20.0 soft ware. The data was analyzed using descriptive, cross tabulation statistics and presented using frequency tables. The findings from the study revealed that, various factors influenced adoption of biogas technology. These factors include; average household income, highest level of education of household head and unavailability of technical services whose root causes were: poverty, high school dropouts, and early marriages among women who are the main implementers of the technology. The study recommends that, the County government should employ strategies such as education and awareness, provision of loans and subsidies, provision of technical services and setting up of demonstration centers may go a long way in encouraging households to adopt biogas technology. Keywords: Biogas technology, adoption, households, environment conservatio

Artisanal Fisheries of Kenya's South Coast: A transdisciplinary case study of a socio-ecological system transition

The study addresses the biological and the socio-cultural dimensions of the artisanal fisheries along a 50 km long stretch of the South coast of Kenya. Nine fish landing sites were monitored over two years. Lines, gill nets, traps, and spears were common to all the sites. Beach seine, set nets, cha-cha and ring nets were recently introduced to certain places. Gear selection was not necessarily determined by the efficiency of the gear an indication that artisanal fishery was a social undertaking largely controlled by habit and attitude. The annual catch per unit area was estimated as 14t/km of coastline. The socio-cultural studies in the fishing villages showed strong family bonds. 75% of the fishers were illiterate. Fishing generated one third of total household income in addition to fish used for household consumption. Leadership of the fishing villages was largely in the hands of the elders employing complex effort restrictions based on customs and religious taboos. The study might contribute to an preemptive policy to reconcile the longterm needs and the immediate demands of the local population relying on sustainable fishery resources

Handwerkliche Fischerei an Kenias Südküste: Eine transdisziplinäre Fallstudie eines sozio-ökologischen Systems im Übergang

The study addresses the biological and the socio-cultural dimensions of the artisanal fisheries along a 50 km long stretch of the South coast of Kenya. Nine fish landing sites were monitored over two years. Lines, gill nets, traps, and spears were common to all the sites. Beach seine, set nets, cha-cha and ring nets were recently introduced to certain places. Gear selection was not necessarily determined by the efficiency of the gear an indication that artisanal fishery was a social undertaking largely controlled by habit and attitude. The annual catch per unit area was estimated as 14t/km of coastline. The socio-cultural studies in the fishing villages showed strong family bonds. 75% of the fishers were illiterate. Fishing generated one third of total household income in addition to fish used for household consumption. Leadership of the fishing villages was largely in the hands of the elders employing complex effort restrictions based on customs and religious taboos. The study might contribute to an preemptive policy to reconcile the longterm needs and the immediate demands of the local population relying on sustainable fishery resources