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Assessment of Effects of Climate Change on Smallholder Livestock Production in Njoro Sub-County, Kenya

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Title	Assessment of Effects of Climate Change on Smallholder Livestock Production in Njoro Sub-County, Kenya
Objectives	To determine the aspects of climate that affect livestock production and how they have changed in Njoro sub-county To determine the aspects of livestock production affected by climate change and the magnitude of this effect To establish various coping strategies, adaptation and mitigation measures employed by smallholder farmers to climate change effects on livestock production To determine the factors that undermine the ability of smallholder livestock farmers to cope, adapt and mitigate against climate change effects on livestock production
Duration	1 year
Status	Completed
Abstract	Smallholder livestock production is one of the major means of livelihood supporting many families world over. The system acts as a source of food and financial security to many households therefore sustaining their socio-economic wellbeing as well as that of the nation. However, this support system is under threat due to the negative effects of climate change which are contributing to a decline in the level of smallholder livestock production. For the last 30years, changes in climate have also been observed in Njoro sub-county and therefore, this study investigated the effects climate change is having on smallholder livestock production in area. This was achieved through determination of aspects of climate change that have impacted on livestock production and the magnitude of their effect. In addition, various coping strategies, adaptation and mitigation measures employed by smallholder farmers to minimize or prevent against climate change effects on livestock production were established, as well as the factors undermining their efforts. The study employed a social survey research design. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and participant observation, while secondary data was sourced from journals, books, articles, agricultural records at the sub-county and county headquarters and from the meteorological department. Stratified random sampling and systematic random sampling techniques were used to select the sample population of smallholder livestock production farmers in Njoro. The data generated was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The output of the study is a documentation and recommendations to help smallholder livestock production farmers in better understanding the effects climate change has on smallholder livestock production as well as the highlights of appropriate adaptation, coping and mitigation strategies that can be applied elsewhere.