Climate-Smart Technologies Adopted by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru County, Kenya

Climate change poses a threat to food production in the world and decreases the viability of smallholder dairy farming in Nakuru County. The potential of dairy farming in Nakuru County is high, but few farmers apply climate-smart technologies. This reduces the production of milk and the ability of farmers to withstand climate change. There is limited empirical evidence on the climate-smart technologies among smallholder dairy farmers in the area. This paper, therefore, assessed (i) institutional characteristics of smallholder dairy farmers; and (ii) climate-smart technologies adopted by smallholder dairy farmers in Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru County, to guide targeted, context-specific evidence to inform policy and programmes that increase productivity as well as environmental conservation. A cross-sectional survey design was applied, with a multi-stage sampling method selecting 110 respondents. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, observations, and key informant interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that farmers adopted various climate-smart technologies. Rainwater harvesting was embraced by (98.18%) of the respondents, followed by improved fodder (92.73%) and agroforestry (89.09%). Additional practises were improved livestock breeds (85.45%) and zero grazing (53.64%), silage and hay making (45.45%). Biogas (10.91%) and solar energy (8.18%) were the least adopted technologies. The research concludes that the most widely adopted technologies are low-cost and readily available. The research recommends strengthening extension and training services through increased staffing at the Ward level and regular farm visits. It also proposes additional financial support networks, including subsidies and favourable credit, to reduce initial investment costs.