Abstract:
The aim of this paper is to assess the coping and adaptation strategies that have
been employed by farmers in their agricultural activities against the effects of
climate change in Kitui district. It also looks at the factors that determine the
coping strategies employed by the farmers. The study assessed the strategies
which the farmers employed in an effort to mitigate against the negative effects
of climate change on agricultural production. Kitui district is one of the semi-
arid districts in Kenya where the effect of climate change has been felt in
almost all sectors of the economy. The study utilized a descriptive research
design in order to bring out the relationship between climatic elements, mainly
rainfall and temperature and agricultural production and the coping strategies
employed by the farmers to cushion their farming activities against the
negative effects of climate change. Data was collected from 400 small scale
farmers who owned less than five acres of land which was used for agricultural
purposes. The data was collected using structured questionnaires, observation,
interviews and focus group discussions. The data collected was on whether the
farmers employed coping strategies, the factors that determined the strategies
employed and why some farmers did not employ any strategies. The results of
the study indicate that very few farmers 26% (104) employed coping strategies
against climate change effects while majority of them 74% (296) did not. The
results also show that the main strategies employed so as to mitigate against
climate change were irrigation, digging of zia pits, planting drought resistant
crops among others. The main factors that determined the coping strategy
employed were availability of capital and proximity to the rivers.
