Assessment Of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies By Small Scale Farmers In Assuring Food Security: A Case Study Of Meru District

ABSTRACT

Climate change is currently the subject which has attracted many stakeholders due to its

impacts on nature and human livelihood. The impacts of climate change range from

melting of ice, rise of sea level to destruction of biodiversity, physical features and loss of

people‟s life. The climate change has led to uncertainty in agriculture and caused food

insecurity. Most of the affected communities were the poor rural communities comprised

by small scale farmers, and cow herders. In responding to the climate change various

strategies had been adapted in order to ensure that there was food security in the

community. This study aimed at assessing the small-scale farmer‟s adaptation strategies,

in ensuring household food security.

The study was cross-sectional conducted in Meru District, and involved three wards in

which their main economic activity was agriculture particularly food production. The

study involved small scale farmers, extension officers, community leaders and

nongovernmental personnel. A total number of 100 respondents were selected randomly,

and purposively. Questionnaire, interview guide and observation were used in data

collection during the study. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social

Science (SPSS) preceded by data coding to prepare data for easy entry.

The study revealed that various climate change adaptation strategies were put on place, in

order to assure food security in households. However there was a low knowledge on the

adaptation strategies from national level and also extension services were not adequate

and only a few farmers accessed them. The study suggests that extension services should

be improved in order to enable the farmers to get up to date information, on the climate

change and being able to respond accordingly.