Influence of agricultural knowledge on drought-flood disaster preparedness through strategic crop production in Budalang’i, Kenya

Abstract

The preparedness and ability to go through drought-flood disaster events by excising appropriate strategic food crop production practices in Budalang’i floods plain is of national and international interest. The growing interes reflects the increased concern over the level of famine caused by the unique drought-flood disaster events due to excessive destruction of food crops. The area suffers from a mixture of disasters threatening livelihoods and by inflicting heavy property and life losses. Kombo (2011), alleges that community preparedness can lessen drought dangers and damages. This study answers the question,“ To what extent does knowledge influence community involvement in strategic food production practices in Budalang’i?” Budalang’i is unique because the floods experienced originate from heavy rains experienced elsewhere. Three hundred (300) randomly selected households were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed to measure community involvement in drought management and level of agricultural knowledge was determined from students using a knowledge test. Evaluative analysis was used to determine the influence of agricultural knowledge on community involvement in drought management. The study developed two drought preparedness models, as critical entry points for further research. The study recommends 19 additional studies to investigate the factors that may strengthen strategic crop production practices to control further disaster successions.