Constraints and Opportunities for Greenhouse Farming Technology as an Adaptation Strategy to Climate Variability by Smallholder Farmers of Nyandarua County of Kenya
Abstract
Nyandarua County of Kenya has been for a long time, manifested itself as one of the major food baskets in
the country. This is because of its high and sustainable output in crop farming i.e., maize, Irish potatoes,
wheat, and other horticultural crops like vegetables and fruits. However, this scenario has recently changed
because the usual high crop output has not been forthcoming due to recent changes in climatic patterns
where rainfall has become very unreliable and temperatures very extreme. In an attempt to adapt to this
climate variability and its associated negative impacts on crop farming, smallholder farmers have tried to
apply the greenhouse farming technology for them to be able to maintain and or improve the various crop
output amid the climatic changes. The study aims to examine and assess the socio-economic determinants
and constraints associated with this attempt of adaptation strategy. Using the primary data of 300
respondents (Smallholder farmers) in the County, the study adopted a logistic regression analysis model
to associate the demographic, socio-economic, and constraints encountered by the smallholder farmers
with the adoption of the greenhouse farming technology. The study results indicate that this adaptation
strategy was reported by 25 out the 300 smallholder farmers (5.83%). The study results further suggest that
financial constraints (27%) and lack of information (22.3%) are the major constraints preventing smallholder
farmers from effectively adopting this adaptation strategy. However, the probability results of logistic
regression analysis (68%) indicate that if properly adopted, the method can provide a solution to the
currently reduced food shortages and increase food security among the smallholder farmers of Nyandarua
County of Kenya.
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