Potato Production Potentials Among Smallholder Farmers in Nyandarua West Sub-County Kenya in Light of Climate Variability
[1]
Amon Mwangi Karanja, Department of Geography, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya.
The paper analysed the challenges and opportunities for potato production and small holder farmers in light of climate variability in Nyandarua West sub-County in Kenya. The objective of the paper was to evaluate the available opportunities and assess the challenges that may limit agricultural production in light of climate variability threats in the sub-County. Climate variability variables such as severe drought and frequent flooding has caused a lot of suffering to human being and animals in the world today due to hunger, increased cases of diseases and destruction of their habitats. Households’ adaptations and responses to climate variability cannot be seen in isolation from the state in which they operate in. External adaptations practices fail to reflect local needs and priorities, leading to low adoption of external interventions. The study explored the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threat in Nyandarua West sub-County in place to adapt to climate variability using a SWOT analysis. SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. A SWOT matrix was developed using matching and conversion method and used in the analysis of the adaptive capacity of the sub-County. The study found that there are strengths and opportunities which when well utilised will help counter the weaknesses and threats and adapts to climate variability and increase agricultural production. The study recommends for rehabilitation of feeder roads to enable farmers transport their potatoes to the market on time at affordable costs. The study also recommend for increase in the number of agriculture field day organized by farmers training centre to allow more farmers to benefit from the exhibitions and information on new trends in farming. Water from the available dams in the area should be utilized in irrigation during droughts which will be a relief to farmers during unfavourable rainfall seasons.
Climate Variability, Households, Adaptations’ and Responses, Adaptive Capacity
[1]
IPCC (2014) Climate change: Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. Working Group II contribution to the IPCC 5th assessment report.
[2]
Van Dorland, R., B. Jansen, K. van der Sandt, B. van Hove, C. Jacobs, C., and R. Swart, R. (2011), Staat van het klimaat 2010: actueelonderzoek en beleidnaderverklaard. PCCC, de Bil, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
[3]
Battisti D. S. and Naylor R. L. (2009) Historical warnings of future food insecurity with unprecedented seasonal heat. Science 323, 240–244.
[4]
Galvin, K. A., P. K. Thornton, R. B. Boone and J. Sunderland (2004). Climate variability and impacts on east African livestock herders: The Maasai of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania. African Journal of Range and Forage Science, 21 (3), pp. 1–2.
[5]
Collier, P., G. Conway., and T. Venables., (2008) “Climate Change in Africa”, Oxford Review of Economic Policy Vol. 24 No. 2, London, Oxford University Press, pp 337-353.
[6]
Yanda, P. Z., and C. P. Mubaya., (2011) Managing a Changing Climate in Africs; Local Level Vunerabilities and Adaptation Eperiences, Dar es Salaam, Mkuki na Nyota.
[7]
Clark, R., Gornall, J., Betts, R., Burke, E., Gornall, J., and Camp, j. (2010) Implications of climate change for agricultural productivity in the early twenty-first century. Met Office Hadley Centre, Fitz Roy Road Exeter, Devon EX1 3PB, UK.
[8]
Neumann, L. (2000). Social research methods quantitative and qualitative approach. Allyn and Bacon. Boston.
[9]
Humphrey A. (2004). SWOT analysis method and examples, with free SWOT template. http://www.businessballs.com/swotanalysisfreetemplate.htm. Accessed on 12th August 2013.
[10]
KNBS, (2009). National population Census. Ministry of planning and vision 2030.
[11]
Olanya, O., Lunjaho C., Nderitu. S., Kabura, J., El-Bedewy, R., Waling, A. (2006). yield performance and release of four late blight tolerant potato varieties in Kenya. Journal on. Agro S: 57-61.
[12]
Kuyiah, J W. (2007) Economic analysis of smallholder agricultural production under conditions of risk: the case of Vihiga and Kilifi Districts in Kenya. Unpublished MSc Thesis Egerton University, Kenya.
[13]
Uphoff, N. T. (1996). Local institution Development: An Analytical sourcebook with cases. West Hartford Connecticut. Kumarian Press.
[14]
Moock, P. (1973). Managerial ability in small-farm production: an analysis of maize yields in the Vihiga Division of Kenya. PhD Thesis (published) Columbia University, USA.
[15]
Ogola, O., Milton, W., Ayieko, A., Orawa, O., Kimani, W. (2011). Analysis of fertiliser use in potato production in Nakuru district, Kenya. Africa journal of Agriculture vol. 6 (16): 3672-3677.
[16]
McCalla, A. F. (1994). Agriculture and food needs to 2025: Why we should be concerned. Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), Washington DC.
[17]
Young, A. (1999). Is there really spare land? A critique of estimates of available cultivable land in developing countries. Environment, Development and Sustainability journal 1: 3-18.
[18]
Muga, M. (2010). Climate Change: A Major Challenge and Revelation for EA Nationals. A journal on resource, reflection and discourse for sustainable development, 32: 201–207.
[19]
Peacock, C., Jowett, A., Dorward, A., Poulton, C., and Urey. (2004). Reaching the poor: A call to Action, Investment in small holder Agriculture in Sub-Sahara Africa. London: Farm-Africa.
