Integration of indigenous knowledge with ICTs in managing effects of climate change and variability in Kajiado County, Kenya

Climate change threatens the stability of agricultural productivity and production. In many areas of the world where agricultural productivity is already low and the means of coping with adverse effects are limited, climate change is expected to reduce productivity to even lower levels and make production more erratic. This is more eminent among indigenous people who have limited adaptive capacity and high dependence on local biological diversity, ecosystem services and cultural landscapes as a source of their sustenance, wellbeing, and resilience. This paper describes research undertaken to assess relevant Indigenous knowledge used by farmers to cope and adapt to climate change and variability effects on agriculture as well as evaluate opportunities for utilizing ICTs in integration of Indigenous knowledge in production practices. The study was carried out at Oloyiankalani and Rombo locations in Kenya. Information and data were collected through formal interviews using structured questionnaires, Farmers group discussions (FDGs) and Key informant interviews. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered to 100 practicing agro pastoralism and 100 pastoralists. Results indicate that farmers have adopted various means to cope with climate change and variability including farming historically known drought tolerant crops (23.6%) such as cowpeas, green grams, dolichos; rain water harvesting through roof catchments (20.6%), Use of organic manure (12.2%) instead of the inorganic fertilizers that were introduced, change in planting time (8.4%), practice pasture preservation through paddocking (4.4%), indigenous food preservation methods by smoking, use of ash and sun drying (5%), migration in search of pasture and water (23.6%) and reduction in herd sizes (2.2%). Respondents are also finding alternative sources of livelihoods such as beadwork business (38%). Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) such as radios and mobile phones are emerging as viable avenues for acquisition, dissemination of information including integration of indigenous knowledge in response to climate change.