In the semi-arid lands of lower eastern Kenya, this study examined the effects of climatic variability and change on maize yields. Climate is a key element in rain-fed agriculture. Climate fluctuation and change have been the main determinants of crop output in Kenya and other parts of the world. The impact of climate variability on maize yields in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of lower eastern Kenya counties hasn't been the subject of a lot of research, though. The effect of three meteorological elements on maize yields at various temporal and spatial scales was evaluated in order to lay the groundwork for maize crop monitoring and modelling. This study contends that Machakos County had the highest levels of maize output decline, followed by Kitui, Mwingi, and Makueni Counties. Since maize yields have negative Z-values, all of the counties' experiences with climate change between 1994 and 2008 have primarily been negative. Four out of the six weather stations were decreasing by up to 3 mm per year, according to a review of rainfall trends. Evidently, annual and seasonal temperatures have been rising at a rate of 0.03°C per year. According to the study, there is high climate variability in the arid and semi-arid counties, which has a significant impact on maize yields and food security in lower eastern Kenya. Rainfall and maize had a statistically significant positive and negative relationship, respectively. In all four of lower eastern Kenya's counties, the yield of maize is clearly on the decline. Thus, in order to mitigate the negative effects of climate change, it is essential to climate-proof agricultural crops through adaptation strategies like early planting, cultivating maize varieties that can withstand water stress, and increasing awareness of climate change and its effects on agriculture. These results are essential for developing suitable adaptation strategies that will increase the resilience of maize output and food security.
Author(s) Details:
Nyandiko Nicodemus Omoyo,
Department of Disaster Management and Sustainable Development, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega-50100, Kenya.
Jacob Wakhungu,
Department of Disaster Management and Sustainable Development, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega-50100, Kenya.
Silvery Oteng’I,
Department of Disaster Management and Sustainable Development, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 190, Kakamega-50100, Kenya.
Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RHAS-V2/article/view/8154
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