ABSTRACT

Impacts of climatic and non-climatic risks are on the rise in the major maize-growing counties of western Kenya. We conducted a questionnaire survey of sampled maize farmers in Nandi, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia counties, achieving 210 responses. We used a stepwise regression model to evaluate the factors influencing farmers’ perceptions of farming risks. Results show that most of the sampled farmers were aware of the risks, and perceived reduced rainfall with erratic patterns to be the major climatic risk in crop production. The non-climatic factors were identified as inadequate farm size, limited extension services, land degradation and low soil fertility. The determinant factors that influence farmers’ perception of climatic and non-climatic risks affecting crop production were age, farm size, income, crop production cost, marital status, the highest level of education and farming experience. Understanding the risks faced in crop production and determinants of farmers’ perceptions can be important in the development and dissemination of sustainable agronomic strategies tailored towards improving crop production.

摘要

在肯尼亚西部主要玉米种植县，气候和非气候风险的影响正在增加。我们对南迪，西波科特，Uasin Gishu和Trans Nzoia县的玉米农户进行了问卷调查，获得了210份答复。我们使用逐步回归模型来评估影响农民对农业风险感知的因素。结果表明，大多数被抽样的农民都意识到了这种风险，并认为降雨减少（具有不稳定的格局）是农作物生产的主要气候风险。确定非气候因素是农场规模不足，推广服务有限，土地退化和土壤肥力低。影响农民对影响作物生产的气候和非气候风险的看法的决定性因素包括年龄，农场规模，收入，作物生产成本，婚姻状况，最高水平的教育和农业经验。了解作物生产中面临的风险和农民观念的决定因素，对于制定和推广旨在改善作物产量的可持续农艺策略至关重要。