Adaptive Strategies for Enhancing Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Productivity in Response to Climate Variability in Kericho County

Indigenous foods have salient socio-cultural significance among many communities in Africa. In Kenya, certain food crops are essential for cultural ceremonial functions. However, the food crops are relatively under threat in their availability due to climate change impacts and development. The purpose of this study was to establish the adaptive strategies that Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) farmers have adopted in response to climate variability effects in Kericho County. The R- programming language statistical package was used to analyse qualitative data. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) statistical tool was used to analyse the quantitative data obtained. Trend analysis from the focus groups was chronicled by notes taking and analysed using the NVIVO analytical tool, which analysed both qualitative and quantitative data. Results were discussed and presented in charts, tables and graphs. The findings showed a significant impact of extreme temperature and rainfall changes on finger millet productivity. The responses were tested by adopting statistical significance of p≤0.05 where p-value = 0.041 and <0.05 at 95% confidence level, Precipitation/Rainfall has a positive significant impact on finger millet productivity. Also, p-value = 0.027 for Average Temperature implies there is statistical significance. The study also revealed that adaptative strategies have a significant positive effect on finger millet productivity. Strategies established include the use of certified and weather tolerant varieties, working in groups to ease the intense finger millet management processes, use of agrochemicals to manage pests and diseases, intercropping and crop rotation, adopting and utilizing weather forecasting information and writing proposals to the ministry of agriculture for support. Research institutes such as Kenya Agricultural and Livestock and Research Organization should breed climate-tolerant varieties and farmers to adopt strategies such as changing planting seasons and adopting two planting seasons in a year to increase yields. Farmers could adopt drip irrigation during the dry seasons. The risk of floods could be managed by intercropping finger millet with stronger crops such as maize. Large finger millet farms could use new technology/ machines in finger millet management as this requires fewer human resources. The study recommends that farmers should consider buying insurance covers to take care of climatic extremes risks.