Determination of Adoption of Organic & AMP; Conventional Farming and Climatic Smart Agricultural Practises among Smallholder Farmers in Nyaribari Chache Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya

Abstract

Smallholder farmers are usually susceptible to the effects of climatic variations. This study sought to determine the extent of adoption of various organic and conventional crop and soil management practises in the farms and assess the contribution of Climate Smart Agricultural strategies on adaptation to climate change among small holder farmers in Nyaribari Chache Sub-County, Kisii County. Ten farms were sampled at an equidistance of one kilometre along a transect laid across each of the eight randomly selected sub-locations in the sub county. A sample size of 80 farms was randomly selected from the Sub-County. The eighty farms were regrouped into two; Organic and conventional farms. A survey of the crop management practises was carried out and the observed methods recorded down. Questionnaire administration on the 200 households was conducted in data collection on CSAP employed by farmers and also carry out interviews and focused group discussions with farmers to identify CSAP adopted. The data collected was analyzed using the statistical paired t test and descriptive statistics. Use of pesticides recorded the highest percentages (60%) in conventional methods while mulching recorded relatively high percentage (42%) in organic methods. Use of plastic cover recorded the lowest percentage of 4% in conventional methods while vermi-composting was not embraced in conventional methods. Conventional methods were 3.33 points higher than organic (95% CI [-9.37596, 16.04263]). Conventional and Organic farming methods were strongly and negatively correlated (r = -0.069, p > 0.05). However, there was no statistical significant difference between conventional and organic methods (t5 = 0.674, p > 0.05), Appendix 1[(iii)]. CSAP Adopted by Smallholder Farmers was statistically significant (p<0.005); Appendix 1 [iv (b)]. Determinants of smallholder farmers’ choice of CSAP on adaptation to climatic variations had a significant impact on embracing of CSAP (p<0.005); Appendix 1 [v (b)]. Access to credit facilities, inadequate extension facilities, low education levels, scanty weather and climate statistics were main hurdles impacting on implementation of CSAP. These knowledge will aid farmers and other participants globally to improve crop productivity. These information will also enable farmers seek for unconventional ways to alleviate the problem of heavy usage of agrochemicals in order to embrace organic farming for the long run sustainability of the agricultural sector. Additionally, stakeholders should heighten exposure of farmers to extension services and prompt distribution of climate variations data for informed decision making.