home icon user icon
Welcome to International Network for Natural Sciences | INNS Pub.
Home My Account
Submit Manuscript
double_slash
breadcumb_bg

Impacts of climate variability and change on integrated crop-livestock farming systems in Machakos County, Kenya

Paper Details

Research Paper 08/07/2024
Views (138) Download (20)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Impacts of climate variability and change on integrated crop-livestock farming systems in Machakos County, Kenya

David M. K. Nyamai, Dorothy A. Amwata, Julius K. Kilungo
J. Bio. Env. Sci.25( 1), 128-142, July 2024.
Certificate: JBES 2024 [Generate Certificate]
Key: Climate variability and changeImpactsKenyaMachakos CountyMixed crop-livestock

Abstract

Integrated crop-livestock production systems play an important role in meeting the rising demand for food and income for most developing countries, including Kenya. Production has become uncertain due to the rapidly changing climate, threatening food security. However, the potential impacts of climate variability and the change on the mixed crop-livestock systems have not been extensively studied. The study aimed to assess the impacts of climate variability and change on mixed crop-livestock farming in the arid and semi-arid county of Machakos. The study demonstrates that climate change and variability are already having significant adverse impacts on the mixed crop-livestock farming system in Machakos County. The most frequent climate variabilities and extreme events were unreliable rainfall (83.3%), drought (72.8%), rising temperatures (71.8%), and pests and diseases (65.3%). Several impacts of climate change were reported on both crops and livestock production. The major impacts experienced include low yields (88.8%), loss of income (82.3%), crop failure (81.1%), livestock deaths (69.0%), forage scarcity (65.2%), decline and drying of water sources (64.0%) and destruction of infrastructure (53.3%). The climate variability and change have adversely affected mixed crop-livestock farming in Machakos County and, ultimately, agricultural productivity and food security. The findings help site-specific intervention strategies to reduce the impacts of mixed agro-livestock farming on climate change.

VIEWS 29
Cover PDF

Amwata DA. 2020. Situational analyses study reports for Kenya.

Amwata DA, Nyariki DM. 2021. Climate variability, land-use, pastoral and agropastoral livelihoods in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya. World Journal of Innovative Research 10(5), 117-126. ISSN (online): 2454-8236.

Amwata D, Omondi PO, Kituyi E. 2018. Uptake and use of climate information services to enhance agriculture and food production among smallholder farmers in Eastern and Southern Africa region. International Journal of Advanced Research 6(5), 859.

Amwata DA, Nyariki DM, Musimba NR. 2015. Factors influencing pastoral and agropastoral household vulnerability to food insecurity in the drylands of Kenya: a case study of Kajiado and Makueni Counties. Journal of International Development 28(5), 771-787.

Amwata DA. 2013. The influence of climate change and variability on land-use livelihoods in Kenya’s Southern rangelands. A Ph.D. thesis submitted to the Department of Land Resources Management and Agricultural Technology, University of Nairobi. Nairobi, Kenya.

Amwata DA, Snelder D. 2021. The influence of water resources on pastoral and agropastoral households’ food security in Kajiado District, Kenya. Research Journali Journal of Agriculture 8(9), 1-14.

Aryal JP, Sapkota TB, Khurana R, Khatri-Chhetri A, Rahut DB, Jat ML. 2020. Climate change and agriculture in South Asia: Adaptation options in smallholder production systems. Environment, Development, and Sustainability 22(6), 5045-5075.

Ayanlade A, Radeny M, Morton JF. 2017. Comparing smallholder farmers’ perception of climate change with meteorological data: A case study from southwestern Nigeria. Weather and Climate Extremes 15, 24-33.

Bernabucci U. 2019. Climate change: impact on livestock and how can we adapt. Animal Frontiers: The Review Magazine of Animal Agriculture 9(1), 3.

Chand S, Kumar D. 2018. Farmers perception on climate change and its management strategies: A micro analysis of Rajasthan. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education 18(3), 49-56.

Claessens L, Antle JM, Stoorvogel JJ, Valdivia RO, Thornton PK, Herrero M. 2012. A method for evaluating climate change adaptation strategies for small-scale farmers using survey, experimental and modeled data. Agricultural Systems 111, 85-95.

Cochran WG. 1977. Sampling techniques (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Son. New York, USA.

El-Beltagy A, Madkour M. 2012. Impact of climate change on arid lands agriculture. Agriculture & Food Security 1(1), 1-12.

Gbetibouo GA. 2009. Understanding farmers’ perceptions and adaptations to climate change and variability: The case of the Limpopo Basin, South Africa. IFPRI Discussion Paper 00849, February 2009.

Gichangi EM, Gatheru M. 2018. Farmers’ awareness and perception of climate change and the various adaptation measures they employ in the semi-arid eastern Kenya. Climate Change 4(14), 112-122.

Government of Kenya. 2018. National Climate Change Action Plan (Kenya) Volume 2: Adaptation Technical Analysis Report 2018-2022. Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Nairobi. Kenya.

Government of Kenya (GoK). 2019. Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy, 2019-2029. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nairobi, Kenya.

Gupta R, Somanathan E, Dey S. 2017. Global warming and local air pollution have reduced wheat yields in India. Climatic Change 140(3), 593-604.

Gurjar G, Swami S, Lyngdoh E, Laitonjam N, Kant K, Singh S, Olaniya M. 2018. Climate change and mixed crop livestock farming systems in developing countries: Importance and impacts. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 7(4), 3841-3845.

Harvey CA, Saborio-Rodríguez M, Martinez-Rodríguez MR, Viguera B, Chain-Guadarrama A, Vignola R, Alpizar F. 2018. Climate change impacts and adaptation among smallholder farmers in Central America. Agriculture & Food Security 7(1), 1-20.

Herrero M, Ringler C, van de Steeg J, Thornton P, Zhu T, Bryan E, Omolo A, Koo J, Notenbaert A. 2010. Climate variability and climate change and their impacts on Kenya’s agricultural sector. ILRI. Nairobi, Kenya.

Herrero M, Thornton PK, Gerber P, van der Zijpp A, van de Steeg J, Notenbaert AM, Lecomte P, Grace D. 2010. The way forward on livestock and the environment. In: Swanepoel FJC, Stroebel A, Moyo S (Eds). The role of livestock in developing communities: Enhancing multifunctionality. CTA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Herrero M, Wirsenius S, Henderson B, Rigolot C, Thornton P, Havlík P, Gerber PJ. 2015. Livestock and the environment: what have we learned in the past decade? Annual Review of Environment and Resources 40,

Ifejika Speranza C, Kiteme B, Ambenje P, Wiesmann U, Makali S. 2010. Indigenous knowledge related to climate change and variability: Insights from droughts in semi-arid areas of former Makueni District, Kenya. Climatic Change 100(2), 295-315.

IPCC. 2013. Climate change 2013: the physical science basis. The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report ed T F Stocker et al. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

IPCC. 2007. Climate change 2007: Synthesis Report: A Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Contribution of Working Groups I, II, and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Geneva, Switzerland: IPCC.

IPCC. 2014. Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part B: Regional Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Barros VR, Field CB, Dokken DJ, Mastrandrea MD, Mach KJ, Bilir TE, Chatterjee M, Ebi KL, Estrada YO, Genova RC, Girma B, Kissel ES, Levy AN, MacCracken S, Mastrandrea PR, White LL (Eds)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 688.

IPCC. 2018. Global warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty.

Jaetzold R, Schmidt H, Hornetz B, Shisanya C. 2010. Farm Management Handbook of Kenya. Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, vol. 2. Brookpak Printing and Supplies, Nairobi, Kenya.

Kabubo-Mariara J. 2009. Global warming and livestock husbandry in Kenya: impacts and adaptations. Ecological Economics 68(7), 1915-1924.

Kalele DN, Ogara WO, Oludhe C, Onono JO. 2021. Climate change impacts and relevance of smallholder farmers’ response in arid and semi-arid lands in Kenya. Scientific African 12, e00814.

Karfakis P, Lipper L, Smulders M. 2012. The assessment of the socioeconomic impacts of climate change at household level and policy implications. Agricultural Development Economics Division, FAO. Rome, Italy.

Kariuki G, Njaramba J, Ombuki C. 2018. Climate change and maize yield in Kenya: An econometric analysis. Proceeding of the 1st Annual International Conference held on 17th-19th April 2018, Machakos University, Kenya.

Kisaka O, Mucheru-Muna M, Ngetich F, Mugwe J, Mugendi D, Mairura F. 2015. Seasonal rainfall variability and drought characterization: Case of Eastern Arid Region, Kenya. Adapting African Agriculture to Climate Change: Transforming Rural Livelihoods, 53-71.

KNBS. 2019. Kenya Population and Housing Census, 2019. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Nairobi, Kenya.

Kabata LN, Makokha GL, Obiero K. 2021. Seasonal rainfall variability effects on smallholder farmers’ maize yields in Kieni East Sub-County, Nyeri County, Kenya. Journal of Arts & Humanities 10(10), 12-29.

Lobell DB, Schlenker W, Costa-Roberts J. 2011. Climate trends and global crop production since 1980. Science 333(6042), 616-620.

Machakos County. 2015. County Integrated Development Plan. Available at: https://roggkenya.org/wpcontent/uploads/docs/CIDPs/Machakos-County-Integrated-Development-Plan-CiDP-2015.pdf, Machakos Kenya.

Matiu M, Ankerst DP, Menzel A. 2017. Interactions between temperature and drought in global and regional crop yield variability during 1961-2014. PloS One 12(5), e0178339.

Mavuso SM, Manyatsi AM, Vilane B. 2015. Climate change impacts, adaptation, and coping strategies at Malindza, a rural semi-arid area in Swaziland. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry 3(3), 86-92.

MoALF. 2017. Climate Risk Profile for Machakos County. Kenya County Climate Risk Profile Series. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MoALF), Nairobi, Kenya.

Mohmmed A, Li J, Elaru J, Elbashier MM, Keesstra S, Artemi C, Teffera Z. 2018. Assessing drought vulnerability and adaptation among farmers in Gadaref region, Eastern Sudan. Land Use Policy 70, 402-413.

Mumo L, Yu J, Fang K. 2018. Assessing impacts of seasonal climate variability on maize yield in Kenya. International Journal of Plant Production 12(4), 297-307.

Njarui DMG, Gatheru M, Wambua JM, Nguluu SN, Mwangi DM, Keya GA. 2011. Feeding management for dairy cattle in smallholder farming systems of semi-arid tropical Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development 23, 5.

Njarui D, Gichangi E, Gatheru M, Nyambati E, Ondiko C, Njunie M, Ayako W. 2016. A comparative analysis of livestock farming in smallholder mixed crop-livestock systems in Kenya: 1. Livestock inventory and management. Development 28(4).

Njogu HW. 2021. Effects of floods on infrastructure users in Kenya. Journal of Flood Risk Management 14(4), e12746.

Nyariki DM, Amwata DA. 2019. The value of pastoralism in Kenya: Application of total economic value approach. Pastoralism 9(1), 1-13.

Nyariki DM. 2004. The contribution of pastoralism to the local and national economies in Kenya. Unpublished report, April 2004. RECONCILE/IIED.

Omoyo NN, Wakhungu J, Oteng’i S. 2015. Effects of climate variability on maize yield in the arid and semi-arid lands of lower eastern Kenya. Agriculture and Food Secure 4, 8.

Opiyo F, Wasonga OV, Nyangito MM, Mureithi SM, Obando J, Munang R. 2016. Determinants of perceptions of climate change and adaptation among Turkana pastoralists in northwestern Kenya. Climate and Development 8(2), 179-189.

Parry JE, Echeverria D, Dekens J, Maitima J. 2012. Climate risks, vulnerability and governance in Kenya: a review. Commissioned by: climate risk management technical assistance support project (CRM TASP), joint initiative of bureau for crisis prevention and recovery and bureau for development policy of UNDP.

Pavanello S. 2010. Livestock marketing in Kenya–Ethiopia border areas: A baseline study. Humanitarian Policy Group. London, SE1 7JD.

Pell AN, Stroebel A, Kristjanson P. 2010. Livestock development projects that make a difference: What works, what doesn’t and why. In: Swanepoel FJC, Stroebel A, Moyo S. (Eds). The role of livestock in developing communities: Enhancing multifunctionality. CTA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Republic of Kenya. 2018. County Integrated Development Plan II (2018-2022). Available at: https://machakosgovernment.co.ke/download/machakos-county-intergrated-development-plan-2018-2022pdf.

Rivera‐Ferre MG, López‐i‐Gelats F, Howden M, Smith P, Morton JF, Herrero M. 2016. Re‐framing the climate change debate in the livestock sector: Mitigation and adaptation options. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change 7(6), 869-892.

RoK. 2016. Kenya National Adaptation Plan: 2015-2030, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya.

Silvestri S, Bryan E, Ringler C, Herrero M, Okoba B. 2012. Climate change perception and adaptation of agropastoral communities in Kenya. Regional Environmental Change 12(4), 791-802.

Thornton PK, Ericksen PJ, Herrero M, Challinor AJ. 2014. Climate variability and vulnerability to climate change: a review. Global Change Biology 20(11), 3313-3328.

Thornton PK, Herrero MT, Freeman HA, OkeyoMwai A, Rege JEO, Jones PG, McDermott JJ. 2007. Vulnerability, climate change, and livestock opportunities and challenges for the poor. Journal of Semi-Arid Tropical Agricultural Research.

Thornton PK, Jones PG, Alagarswamy G, Andresen J. 2009. Spatial variation of crop yield response to climate change in East Africa. Global Environmental Change 19(1), 54-65.

Thornton PK, Jones PG, Owiyo T, Kruska RL, Herrero M, Kristjanson P, Omolo A. 2006. with contributions from Orindi V, Otiende B, Ochieng A, Bhadwal S, Anantram K, Nair S, Kumar V, Kulkar U (2006). Mapping climate vulnerability and poverty in Africa. Report to the Department for International Development, ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya, 171.

WBG Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP). 2020. Kenya, Historical Climate. Available at: https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/kenya/climate-data-historical.

World Bank. 2021. World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal. Available at: https://climatechangeknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/kenya.

World Bank Group. 2018. Kenya Economic Update, April 2018, No. 17: Policy options to advance the Big 4. World Bank, Nairobi. Available at: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/29676.

Submit Manuscript