ENHANCING CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY COMMUNICATION TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL ADAPTATION OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN TIGITHI WARD IN LAIKIPIA COUNTY, KENYA
ENHANCING CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY COMMUNICATION TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL ADAPTATION OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN TIGITHI WARD IN LAIKIPIA COUNTY, KENYA
Anthony Gitonga Maina - PhD candidate, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Prof. Silas Odongo Oriaso - Department of Earth and Climate Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Prof. George Odera Outa - Technical University of Kenya & Associate Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation, Department of Earth and Climate Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT
This study focuses on the analysis of climate change policy communication to support the adaptation of smallholder farmers in Tigithi Ward in Laikipia County. The study is anchored on the fact that in the sub-Saharan African countries, subsistence farming and Climate change is having far-reaching effects on many aspects of society and the natural world. If effective actions are not done to counteract and adapt to climate change, decades of progress may be reversed in a major way. Central to the adaptation is a free flow of efficient and effective climate change information on several elements of the change process. The present idea is that climate change intervention that works must be anchored on policies at global, regional, national, and local levels. Kenya is a member of the global community bound by these policies, conventions, and treaties. And it is doing its best to implement the policies in order to reduce the impacts of climate change. Smallholder farmers are most at risk of climate change impact due to weak infrastructure and response mechanisms. Worse are the smallholders in the ASAL areas in Kenya and the entire Horn of Africa. The understanding and interpreting of climate change policies have immense impact on smallholder farmers’ adaptation for livelihood improvement. This is because climate change policies at whatever level affect farmers’ behaviours and farming activities and practices. This study was undertaken in the Tigithi Ward of Laikipia County among the small-scale farmers. The overall goal of the research was to chronicle and analyse climate change policies and their dissemination in order to better assist local adjustment and adaptation in a warming world. It is believed that community uses local adaptive responses arising from policy implementation. This community was studied by collecting the community climate change policy information data from smallholder farmers and other stakeholders in the ward. A list of smallholder farmers was compiled via the community-led meetings and agricultural activities in the Tigithi Ward, from which a stratified random sample was drawn. The selected farmers and stakeholders in the ward were studied using unstructured household questionnaires, focused group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews. The research used both qualitative and quantitative methods, and the resultant data was processed using the thematic and statistical tools. The study found that there exists a significant gap in the awareness and understanding of climate change policies and adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in Tigithi ward in Laikipia County. Inadequate communication efforts have resulted in a lack of access to relevant information, hindering farmers' ability to make informed decisions and implement effective adaptation measures. In conclusion, effective communication of climate change policies and legislations to smallholder farmers in Tigithi ward in Laikipia County required targeted approaches that considered the specific needs, contexts, and literacy levels of the intended audience. Tailored messaging helped ensure that information was accessible, relevant, and actionable for farmers. The study recommends that by establishing accessible and reliable channels for disseminating climate change information to smallholder farmers, including mobile phone-based platforms, radio broadcasts, and community meetings. The study further recommends that by engaging smallholder farmers in the development and implementation of climate change policies through participatory approaches such as focus group discussions, participatory workshops, and farmer field schools.
