PERCEPTIONS AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY BY IMMIGRANT FARMERS IN SEMI-ARID REGIONS OF KENYA

Kenya comprises of 83% arid and semi-arid land mainly suited to extensive livestock production. Communities living in the semi-arid areas have been affected by serious effects of climate change and variability. A study was carried out to evaluate farmer perceptions and adaptation to climate change in Naro Moru and Nairutia areas (both in Nyeri North District) and Matanya in Lamuria Division in Laikipia East District, areas that are typically semi-arid in nature. The farmers identified environmental destruction as the major contributor to the visible effects of climate change and variability in the region. The main indicators are erratic and low rainfalls, frequent droughts and dust storms, low crop yields and high day and low night time temperatures. The effects of climate change resulted into increased levels of poverty, food insecurity, change in biodiversity and scarcity of resources such as water and indigenous trees which are sources of medicine, nectar, fuel wood, timber and fodder. Changes in biodiversity entail disappearance of wild animals and insects such as safari ants and an upsurge of pests (e.g. centipedes, millipedes and birds). The reduced availability of resources has changed the people\u2019s attitudes towards the need to conserve the natural resources and enhance food security through self and group initiatives. The biggest efforts have been towards tree planting and husbandry and adoption of appropriate technologies and farming methods.Le Kenya comprend 83% de terres arides et semi arides utilis\ue9es principalement \ue0 l\u2019\ue9levage extensif. Les communaut\ue9s vivant dans ces r\ue9gions ont \ue9t\ue9 affect\ue9es par de s\ue9rieux effets de la variabilit\ue9 et du changement climatique. Une \ue9tude \ue9tait men\ue9e pour \ue9valuer les perceptions paysannes et l\u2019adaptation au changement climatique dans les milieux de NaoMoru et Nairutia (tous dans le district du Nyeru au Nord) et dans la Division de Lamuria \ue0 Matanyu dans le District Est \ue0 Laikipia, milieux typiquement \ue0 nature semi aride. Les fermiers ont identifi\ue9 la destruction environnementale comme \ue9tant la cause majeure aux effets visibles du changement et la variabilit\ue9 climatique dans la r\ue9gion. Les indicateurs principaux sont des pr\ue9cipitations erratiques et faibles, de s\ue9cheresses fr\ue9quentes et pluies orageuses, faibles rendements des cultures et des temp\ue9ratures nocturnes \ue9lev\ue9es et basses. Des effets du changement climatique a r\ue9sult\ue9 une augmentation \ue9lev\ue9 du niveau de la pauvret\ue9, l\u2019ins\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire, le changement dans la biodiversit\ue9 et le manque des ressources comme l\u2019eau et les arbres indig\ue8nes \ue0 usage comme mat\ue9riel de m\ue9decine, nectar, bois de chauffe, planches et alimentation du b\ue9tail. Le changement dans la biodiversit\ue9 signifie la disparition de la faune et insectes tels que les termites et l\u2019apparition des pestes (centip\ue8des, millip\ue8des et oiseaux). La disponibilit\ue9 r\ue9duite des ressources a chang\ue9 les attitudes de la population en rapport avec le besoin dans la conservation des ressources naturelles et l\u2019am\ue9lioration de la s\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire \ue0 travers des initiatives personnelles et priv\ue9es. De plus grands efforts ont \ue9t\ue9 faits pour la plantation d\u2019arbres et l\u2019\ue9levage ainsi que l\u2019adoption appropri\ue9e des technologies et des m\ue9thodes d\u2019exploitation agricoles

PERCEPTIONS AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY BY IMMIGRANT FARMERS IN SEMI-ARID REGIONS OF KENYA

Kenya comprises of 83% arid and semi-arid land mainly suited to extensive livestock production. Communities living in the semi-arid areas have been affected by serious effects of climate change and variability. A study was carried out to evaluate farmer perceptions and adaptation to climate change in Naro Moru and Nairutia areas (both in Nyeri North District) and Matanya in Lamuria Division in Laikipia East District, areas that are typically semi-arid in nature. The farmers identified environmental destruction as the major contributor to the visible effects of climate change and variability in the region. The main indicators are erratic and low rainfalls, frequent droughts and dust storms, low crop yields and high day and low night time temperatures. The effects of climate change resulted into increased levels of poverty, food insecurity, change in biodiversity and scarcity of resources such as water and indigenous trees which are sources of medicine, nectar, fuel wood, timber and fodder. Changes in biodiversity entail disappearance of wild animals and insects such as safari ants and an upsurge of pests (e.g. centipedes, millipedes and birds). The reduced availability of resources has changed the people’s attitudes towards the need to conserve the natural resources and enhance food security through self and group initiatives. The biggest efforts have been towards tree planting and husbandry and adoption of appropriate technologies and farming methods.Le Kenya comprend 83% de terres arides et semi arides utilisées principalement à l’élevage extensif. Les communautés vivant dans ces régions ont été affectées par de sérieux effets de la variabilité et du changement climatique. Une étude était menée pour évaluer les perceptions paysannes et l’adaptation au changement climatique dans les milieux de NaoMoru et Nairutia (tous dans le district du Nyeru au Nord) et dans la Division de Lamuria à Matanyu dans le District Est à Laikipia, milieux typiquement à nature semi aride. Les fermiers ont identifié la destruction environnementale comme étant la cause majeure aux effets visibles du changement et la variabilité climatique dans la région. Les indicateurs principaux sont des précipitations erratiques et faibles, de sécheresses fréquentes et pluies orageuses, faibles rendements des cultures et des températures nocturnes élevées et basses. Des effets du changement climatique a résulté une augmentation élevé du niveau de la pauvreté, l’insécurité alimentaire, le changement dans la biodiversité et le manque des ressources comme l’eau et les arbres indigènes à usage comme matériel de médecine, nectar, bois de chauffe, planches et alimentation du bétail. Le changement dans la biodiversité signifie la disparition de la faune et insectes tels que les termites et l’apparition des pestes (centipèdes, millipèdes et oiseaux). La disponibilité réduite des ressources a changé les attitudes de la population en rapport avec le besoin dans la conservation des ressources naturelles et l’amélioration de la sécurité alimentaire à travers des initiatives personnelles et privées. De plus grands efforts ont été faits pour la plantation d’arbres et l’élevage ainsi que l’adoption appropriée des technologies et des méthodes d’exploitation agricoles

THE EFFECT OF INTRODUCED FORAGE LEGUMES ON IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL FERTILITY IN NATURAL PASTURES OF SEMI-ARID RANGELANDS OF KAJIADO DISTRICT, KENYA

A two phase study was carried out from 2002 to 2005 in the semi-arid rangelands of Kajiado District, Kenya to determine the effect of introduced forage legumes on soil fertility improvement of natural pastures. During legume evaluation phase, Neonotonia wightii (Glycine), Macroptilium atropurpureum (Siratro), Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai (Dolichos), Mucuna pruriens (Velvet bean) and Stylosanthes scabra var. Seca (Stylo) were screened for adaptability and growth performance under the semi-arid conditions for two years. Results of soil analysis showed there were significant increases in soil pH (4.92 to 5.36), organic carbon (1.17 to 2.57%) , nitrogen (0.17 to 0.22%) and potassium (1.23 to 1.68 me%) probably due to the large amounts of organic residues produced by the legumes (particularly Glycine, Siratro and Stylo which are perennials). The calcium content decreased significantly from 7.97 to 4.50 me% (which was attributed to plant uptake) while the decrease of phosphorus was not significant. During the second phase of study for 1½ years Glycine, Siratro and Stylo were integrated into natural pastures. The results showed that only the soil pH significantly increased from 5.23 to 5.31 while all the other nutrients decreased results, which were attributed to production of less organic residues by the legumes compared to the residues produced during the legume evaluation phase. The study concluded that Glycine, Siratro and Stylo were capable of improving the soil fertility of semi-arid natural pastures only if the respective dry matter production was 10.31, 7.81 and 3.52 tha-1, amounts which were able to produce large amounts of organic residues. 

Attaining Sustainable Farm Management Systems in Semi-Arid Areas in Kenya: Few Technical Options, Many Policy Challenges

Soils in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) are fragile, low in fertility and susceptible to erosion and leaching. To address these problems, activities were implemented in 1998-2003 to identify current problems, and design, test, implement, demonstrate and disseminate improved, integrated soil fertility management techniques. Current soil fertility management results in slightly negative nutrient balances, especially for phosphorus and potassium. Recycling of nutrients through crop residues and animal manure is inefficient, with evidently high losses. Due to the relatively high price of fertilisers and the high risks of crop failure, use of mineral fertilisers is restricted to market-oriented farms with access to irrigation facilities. Of the total farm household population, 35-85% lives below the poverty line. Applying higher rates of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and/or fertilisers is unattractive and risky. Combinations of FYM and fertilisers give better financial returns than either of the two alone. Where irrigation is available, farmers adopt innovative farming systems that include higher application of mineral and organic fertilisers, and result in higher and more stable yields and higher financial returns. A set of specific policy measures for the semi-arid areas were identified to arrive at necessary changes in the economic environment, leading to a wider range of financially attractive technology options for smallholders

Soil Quality and Agricultural Sustainability of Dryland Tropical Farming Systems: A Case Study in Mbeere District, Eastern Kenya

A study was carried out to investigate soil quality of dryland farming systems of Mbeere District, Eastern Kenya and its implications on agricultural sustainability. Soil sampling was done in years 2002 and 2004 from 30 study farms and same sampling sites and from paired adjacent land-use systems (bush fallow and cultivated fields). Physical, chemical and biological laboratory analyses were carried out. Factor analysis showed that the main soil quality indicators for evaluating sustainability of the dryland farming systems of the district were texture; organic matter, exchangeable bases (Ca, Mg, K, and Na); extractable nutrients (P and Zn); and acidity (pH). Cultivated soils were characterised by low pH, nutrient deficiencies (N, P, Cu, and Zn) and low organic matter and a decline in organic C, total N, exchangeable K and extractable P across time. They were also lower in exchangeable bases and microbial biomass C than adjacent bush fallow soils. We conclude that the soils are degraded and farming systems are partially unsustainable and may increasingly be so in the near future if declining soil quality is not addresse