Integration of Traditional and Conventional Knowledge in Food Production to Enhance Adaptive Capacity in Mwala Sub-county, Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Given the dependence on rain-fed agriculture and limited adaptation capacity, Mwala Sub-County, Machakos, Kenya, remains vulnerable to the impacts of climate variability and change. This research investigated the role played by the traditional and conventional knowledge practices in coping with climate variability and adapting to climate change in Mwala Sub-County. Secondary data, including monthly total temperature and rainfall from the year 1988-2018, were collected from the Kenya Meteorological Department and through a review of published journals and reports. The choice for the period 1988-2018 was necessitated by the availability of past temperature and rainfall data in the area. Primary data was collected through household interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Trend and regression analyses were used to evaluate historical climate trends and food production changes, and determine how the historical climate variability and change affected the community food production. The study also evaluated how the people of Mwala Sub-County were coping with climate variability and change, and whether or not the existing coping strategies were effective in the face of a changing climate. Results showed a negative trend in precipitation in the October to December in the study period (1988-2018), and a positive trend for the March to May rainfall seasons in the study period (1988-2018). Temperature results showed a positive trend for both minimum and maximum temperatures in both seasons in the study period (1988-2018). 270 respondents from 11 villages, with 835 households were sampled using the random sampling method. Out of the sample, 67% were male and 33% were female. There was an overall consensus among the farmers that the climate has been changing in the last 30 years, from 1988-2018. The results also show that the communities employ some minimal traditional and conventional strategies to cope with climatic variability and its impacts. However, there was limited knowledge on how to integrate both traditional and conventional methods of adaptation by the farmers. The study proposes an adaptation framework that takes into consideration all relevant stakeholders and the available knowledge of climate smart-agriculture, and inform policy formulation in agriculture to enable the achievement of food security in Mwala Sub-County and the whole of Machakos County. The study recommends the establishment of a farmers-led Agricultural Innovation Center (AIC) in Mwala Sub-County to serve as a technology and information hub as well as an education center for farmers. This center should be set by the national government but work closely with the county government of Machakos. The recommended AIC will also disseminate weather and climate information relevant to agriculture and food production. The AIC will also serve as a center for research and the coordinating body or office among different stakeholder. The is a greater need to have agricultural extension officers stationed in the Mwala sub-county to educate and get farmers priorities as the AIC is been set up.