Evaluating Tobacco Farming Practices and Climate Variability Adaptation Strategies in Uriri Sub-County: Mitigation and Sustainable Agricultural Solutions

Judith Ouma, Peter Gutwa Oino & Dennis Mamboleo
School of Arts and Social Sciences
Kisii University, Kenya
Email: judithouma11@gmail.com

Abstract: The study addresses the challenges of climate variability on agriculture, emphasizing the need for effective adaptation strategies to sustain food production. Globally, governments and private entities have implemented short- and long-term measures, including crop diversification, optimized planting dates, and irrigation, to mitigate the impacts of erratic climate changes. However, more capital-intensive strategies, like changing crop types and modernizing farms, have seen limited adoption. In Kenya’s Uriri Sub-County, the growth of smallholder tobacco farming over the past three decades has intensified environmental degradation and increased vulnerability to climate variability. Adaptation strategies such as altering planting dates and diversifying crops have been insufficient, exacerbating social inequalities among farmers. Grounded in sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience theory, this study employs a mixed methods approach to explore the complexities of tobacco farming and its impacts. A sample of 150 smallholder farmers from Uriri Sub-County, selected through stratified random sampling, participated in structured interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys. Data were analyzed using thematic coding and statistical methods. The findings reveal that current tobacco farming practices are unsustainable and inadequate for long-term climate resilience. The study advocates for adopting more sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry and crop diversification, and calls for policy interventions to transition from tobacco to more sustainable crops. Strengthening local institutions and ensuring equitable access to agribusiness opportunities are essential for achieving long-term sustainability.