Agroforestry technologies practiced by women in Makindu and Nguumo locations to counteract the effects of climate change and variability, Makindu sub country, Makueni country, Kenya

Abstract

Climate change has become a global phenomenon that imposes economic, social, and ecological challenges to farmers, particularly in low-income countries who depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Agroforestry presents a promising option to sustainable agricultural productivity by providing a buffer to climate variability through permanent tree cover and varied ecological niches. This study therefore aimed to investigate women role in agroforestry technologies as an adaptation strategy to climate change in Makindu and Nguumo locations, which are in Makindu sub county, Makueni County. A sample size of 109 households were randomly selected from a sampling frame of, 11,571 households/residents in the two locations. In Nguumo location 54 households, in Makindu location 55 households were sampled. Using descriptive statistics, the study established that women use various technologies to counter the effects of climate change and variability. Highly practiced technology was agrisilviculture, silvipastoral, agrisilvipastoral. The study found out that women play a significant role in climate change adaptation through use of agroforestry technologies though their efforts were not recognised. Further it was found out that empowering women in the challenging areas can play a very critical role in ensuring that women adopt agroforestry technologies as an adaptation to climate change and variability.