CONSTRAINTS LIMITING EFFECTIVE COPING AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE IMPACTS BY SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN KATUK AREA, KISUMU KENYA

Abstract

Climate change provides a difficult challenge to agricultural productivity and food security in developing nations, necessitating the implementation of environmentally benign and scientifically sound adaptation strategies. In Kenya, more research has been done on climate impact adaptation at the national or regional levels, but less focus has been directed to community levels. This study utilizes knowledge from small-scale farmers in Katuk Odeyo area, Kisumu, to tackle the issue of climate impact adaptation and more particularly the constraints to effective coping and adaptation to climate impacts in the community. The study uses questionnaires, interviews, Focus Group Discussions, desk research, and observations to gather data relevant to the study phenomenon. The gathered data was analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative data was processed to determine frequency counts, means, and percentages. The results were then presented as frequency tables. The chi-square test was used to determine the relationships between adaptation approaches and background factors such as age, education level, and awareness of climate change. The results of the focus group discussions were transcribed, translated, and qualitatively evaluated to find categories, themes, correlations, and patterns, and draw conclusions in line with the study's objectives. The findings indicate that small-scale farmers in Katuk utilize on-farm and off-farm coping and adaptation strategies. These strategies are utilized before, during, and after farming seasons. The findings further indicated that constraints and barriers to effective coping and adaptation are related to factors such as limited access or absence of climate data, insufficient support from critical government institutions, declining quality and quantity of productive labour and/or knowledge, and limited access to feasible and affordable financial resources. The study demonstrated that a complex structure of land ownership and tenure, limited land sizes, and gender hierarchy are significant barriers to implementing long-term climate adaptation solutions. Respondents also mentioned lack of farm implements and machinery, high cost of and limited access to improved crop varieties, socio-cultural barriers, poor access to climate information and institutional support, and loss of productive labour and knowledge as major barriers to adaptation. The findings are significant because they will provide decision-makers, researchers, and practitioners with useful insights into how various socioeconomic variables may influence the viability of a certain community climate response plan. It underlines the significance of thoroughly analyzing the local situation to identify priority activities for prompt climate response and risk reduction.