IMPACT OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF MIXED FARMERS IN EMBU EAST SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Kenya like many countries in the world is highly susceptible to climate variability and change. The economy of the people in Embu East Sub-county is highly dependent on rain fed agriculture and so a change in climate affects food production. The objective of the study was to determine the impact of climate variability on socio-economic activities of the farmers in Embu East Sub-county. The hypothesis tested was; there was no significant influence of climate variability on socio-economic activities of the farmers. The total sample comprised of 376 subjects was composed of 374 heads of farming families and 2 Agricultural Field Officers. Data was obtained through administration of household questionnaires and interview schedule. Methods of data analysis and presentation included: frequency tables, percentages and pie charts. Student’s t-test was used to obtain the significant difference between various responses. Chi-square was used to test the hypothesis. The study established that farmer’s socio-economic activities were affected negatively which was evidenced by losses in crops, livestock yields and poor access to social services like the hospitals and schools.Recommendations of the study includes: upgrading the rural road network to improve accessibility, capacity building on alternative source of livelihood to the farmers, more focus on rainfall harvesting, initiating small scale irrigation schemes, and organizing field days to empower the farmers on the control measures of pest and diseases.