Crop production intensification, technical efficiency and maize-based farming households
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Agricultural Science
Abstract
The study examined perceived effects of climate change on grazing land, herds’ performance and examined the
coping strategies of the pastoralists to climate change. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 120
respondents for the study. Data were analyzed using percentages, frequencies, tables and Chi square statistical
tools. The result of the study showed that 37.5% of the respondents were between the ages of 51-60 years with an
average age of 49.8 years. The results revealed that 67.5% of the pastoralists strongly agreed that the pattern of
rainfall in recent time affects pasture availability. Consequently 47.5% and 52.5% of them reported a decrease in
milk production and increase in herd’s mortality rate respectively due to the effect of climate change. A
significance relationship was established between factors of climate change and milk production of the herd
(calculated x2
= 52.00, tabulated x2 = 7.8147. p ≤ 0.05). It is therefore recommended that the pastoralists be trained
in forage conservation techniques. They should also be encouraged to pool their resources to enjoy economics of
scale by the extension workers. Grazing reserves should be developed by the government to fast track the
disposition of the pastoralists to sedentary life.