@article{MAKHILLAJ20138520602,
    title = {Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihoods and Their Adaption Capacity to Climate Variability in Meru County, Kenya},
    journal = {Agricultural Journal},
    volume = {8},
    number = {5},
    pages = {236-241},
    year = {2013},
    issn = {1816-9155},
    doi = {aj.2013.236.241},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1816-9155&doi=aj.2013.236.241},
    author = {Gilbert Muthee,Eliphus Mutuma and},
    keywords = {Climate,ecological zone,ecosystem,farming sector,Kenya},
    abstract = {The study targeted smallholder farming sector within the 7 major sub-agro ecological zones found in Meru, Kenya. About 80% of the Kenyan population directly and indirectly depends on agriculture. Climate variability can aggravate the vulnerability situation, especially where extreme conditions of temperature and precipitation leads to drought and floods, respectively. The study aimed at improving understanding of climate variability in Meru county of Kenya focusing on smallholder agro ecosystems and livelihoods. A household survey on smallholders focusing on asset portfolio and perceived effects of climate on livelihoods was done. Pragmatism was the theoretical underpinning of the study where both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analyzed. Concurrent transformative research strategy was employed through land use information, focused groups; transect walk, key informants, in-depth interviews and household survey. Discussions and review of documents at various government levels, research institutions and non-governmental organizations was carried out. On the premises of household asset portfolio cluster and factor analysis was done and three distinct clusters were identified with over 73% of the respondents falling on the least economically endowed category. Income from crops, off farm, remittances and value of household assets and livestock significantly correlated with perceived attributes of climate variability. Smallholder farmers continue to adopt various coping and adaptation measures in order to attain resilience with irrigation being ranked as the single most important strategy. However, not without the consequences of long term significant decline in stream levels resonating into conflicts downstream.}
    }