CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF ECOSYSTEM-BASED ADAPTATION PRACTICES FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN JIRAPA DISTRICT

Abstract

Climate change is already taking place, and it is affecting the growth and potential yields of staple food crops and cropping systems, as well as the volatility and vulnerability of the smallholder farming systems. Ecosystem based adaptation (EbA) practices have proven to be flexible, cost effective, sustainable and immediate strategies needed to minimize climate risk to society, economy and ecosystems. To date, insight into EbA practices has often been based on reports from few case studies. Although these are informative, and provide evidence that people are using their natural environments to adapt, they provide rather dearth information with regards to the challenges and benefits of EbA practices in the context of agriculture. This thesis examines the challenges and prospects of EbA practices for smallholder farmers in J irapa district. Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and Interviews were the main data collection methods employed. As part of the findings, the study reveals that EbA practices can provide multiple benefits such as environmental, socio-cultural and economic benefits. Also, EbA practices adopted by smallholder farmers are challenged by both climate and non-climate limitations. Lastly, the participation of stakeholders/institutions is very crucial for an effective implementation ofEbA practices in agriculture. It is recommended that national and international governments need to still increase education, research and investment in EbA practices in agriculture that will help mitigate the challenges and encourage a large scale adoption by smallholder farmers in the district and beyond.