Do farmers use climate information in adaptation decisions? case of smallholders in semi-arid Kenya

Abstract

Integration of climate information in farm-level adaptation decision is crucial to manage climate change induced risks. The Government of Kenya is mandated to manage and disseminate climate information to enhance adaptation to climate change. However, the use of climate information on farm-level adaptation has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to: identify the climate information accessed by farmers, establish the association between using climate information and the adaptation strategies adopted, examine the factors influencing adaptation decisions, find out how climate information were used and the benefits and constraints of using the information . Data was collected from 432 households randomly selected from semi-arid areas in Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties. The Multivariate probit model was used to analyse data. The results showed that farmers accessed short and medium-term forecasts; decadal forecasts and agrometeorological advisories. There was a significant association between using climate information and the climate change adaptation strategies adopted by the farmers. Demographic, socio-economic and institutional factors significantly influenced farmers’ adaptation decisions. Farmers used the climate information for tactical, short-term farm operations. Benefits of using climate information were manifested in reduced crop loss, increased yield and farm revenue. However, farmers’ use of climate information was constraint by economic and technical factors. The study recommends that the Government enforces policies that empowers farmers to access the requisite farm inputs and facilitate the provision of agrometeorological advisories to increase local-level utility of climate information. The Government should formulate and implement policies that strengthen the provision of timely, simplified and adequately actionable climate information that suit farmers‘ climate change adaptation needs.

Shrimp Farmer’s Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies to the Threat of Climate Change in Bangil District, East Java

“…Based on the results of logit regression analysis (Table 7), gender, farmer experience, household assets, and flood experience are factors that positively influence farmers to make decisions to implement climate change adaptation strategies by replacing water in ponds regularly. This is in accordance with research conducted by Zakari et al, (2022); Matere et al, (2023) who explained that flooding is a factor in the presence of pests and diseases in ponds, causing a decrease in shrimp quality, reducing production yields, and causing crop failure.…”

“…In addition, the implication is that television plays a more significant role in disseminating climate change information than extension services. The media is also a force to encourage and bring change to various societies and the world in general by creating awareness about certain things, thus shaping public interest, opinion, and ultimately government regulation (Zakari et al, 2022;Matere et al, 2023: Manteaw et al, 2022. The research report presented in Table 4 also shows that Non-Governmental Organizations enough, there needs to be direction as a form of follow-up, as well as an effective communication process and coaching in understanding and using information, which is a strong and potential driver.…”