Perception of Climate Change among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Njoro Sub County, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Climate change is a major risk for global food production and poses a threat to the sustainability of smallholder dairy production in Nakuru County. Although Nakuru County has a high potential for dairy production, there is a low uptake of climate-smart technologies. Farmers’ perception and acceptance of climate change is still one of the major obstacles on the uptake of climate-smart technology resulting in low milk productivity. The general aim of the paper is to contribute to the development of dairy industry, enhance food security among households, and strengthen climate resilience. Specifically, the study focused on assessing the perception of climate change by the smallholder dairy farmers in Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru County. The study used a cross-sectional survey design and a multi-stage sampling method to select 110 respondents. Data was gathered through semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, observations and six key informant interviews. Responses were measured on a likert scale and analyzed with descriptive statistics. The analysis revealed that smallholder dairy farmers had a general awareness of climate change and its impacts such as erratic rainfall, rising temperatures, reduced pasture availability, increased livestock diseases and higher feed and water costs. Most farmers also recognized the role of human activities in climate change, and expected its impacts to intensify if no action is taken. Despite this awareness, practical adaptation responses were limited. These findings provide baseline information on the level of knowledge of climate change among smallholder dairy farmers and will serve as a basis for future research, policy formulation, and targeted interventions by the government and other development partners. Moreover, the study will promote farmer to farmer learning, overcome fears of uncertainty, and convert awareness into action by adopting appropriate climate-smart technologies.