Knowledge and Perceptions of Small-Scale Farmers on Climate Variability in Millet and Sorghum-Growing Areas in Tharaka Nithi, Kenya
Abstract
Climate variability is having a serious consequence on agriculture, especially for millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) since their production is influenced by the environmental variation. The objective of this study was to determine farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of climate variability
on millet and sorghum. The study was conducted in Tharaka North, Tharaka South, and Igambang’ombe sub-counties of Tharaka Nithi County. Stratified random sampling and systematic simple random sampling were employed to obtain a sample size of 399 respondents. Ten key informants, mainly from institutions, were
selected using purposive sampling method. A significant number of millet and sorghum farmers had knowledge and perceived climate variability as a major cause of crop failure. This includes low and unpredictable rainfall, increased temperatures, excessive rainfall, prolonged cold, hot weather, rainy and dry seasons. Crops on farms wither and dry up. The indigenous knowledge that farmers used to rely on is no longer perfect, as rainfall can come too early or too late. The outbreak of many pests like locusts that attack both millet and sorghum, and the loss of permanent rivers during severe drought in some seasons are common. From this study, most (92.2%) of the famers already had the knowledge and they agreed (54.9%) that climate has been changing over the time . As a result, it was recommended that climate experts take the initiative of making climate variability preparedness available to small-scale farmers so that they can reduce future climate variability risks. The county and national governments need to ensure proper implementation of climate change mitigation measures so as to strengthen knowledge and perception that small-scale farmers already have.
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