Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya

Ongang’a Peter Odhiambo; Omoga Charles Owuor; Mwongula Albert

doi:doi:10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12

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Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya

Ongang’a Peter Odhiambo^*

, Omoga Charles Owuor

, Mwongula Albert

Published in World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology (Volume 3, Issue 1)

Received: 7 April 2025 Accepted: 18 April 2025 Published: 19 May 2025

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Abstract

Climate change impacts in Busia County have direct effects on reduced and unpredictable rainfalls and indirect effects of reduced availability of livestock fodder for the smallholder dairy farming. Despite the immense contribution of this sub-sector to the county’s Gross Domestic Product, not much has been done to profile the direct effects on smallholder dairy farming and how farmers cope with them. To produce effective strategies for managing and coping with climate variability, there is need for smallholder dairy farmers to differentiate climate-related risks from other agricultural production risks. Clearer understanding of climate-related risks and their associated impacts on livestock production forms the foundation for continued learning and choice of strategies that are likely to enhance mitigation measures. This study therefore delved into understanding the drought impacts and how smallholder dairy farmers in Teso South Sub-County cope with them. Mixed design approach was employed. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview schedules from 246 smallholder dairy farmers. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA) via SPSS Version 23. Results showed that the impact of drought was moderate but had no statistically significant difference among the various agroecological zones. The study also discovered that the various coping mechanisms of interest were not commonly utilised by farmers but showed significant variations within the three agroecological zones. The study recommended that further research should be done to determine the commonly used drought coping mechanisms in the area since it was apparent that drought had an impact on smallholder dairy production.

Published in	World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology (Volume 3, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12
Page(s)	12-23
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Drought, Impact, Coping Mechanisms, Smallholder Dairy

References

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[5]	Muthelo, D., Owusu-Sekyere, E., and Ogundeji, A. A. (2019). Smallholder Farmers’ Adaptation to Drought: Identifying Effective Adaptive Strategies and Measures. Water 2019, 11, 2069. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11102069
[6]	Fonjong, L., Matose, F., & Sannenfeld, D. A. (2024). Climate change in Africa: Impacts, adaptation and policy responses. Global Environmental Change, 89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2024.102912
[7]	Global Centre on Adaptation. (2022). Climate Risks in Africa: State and trends in adaptation report 2022. Retrieved from: https://gca.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GCA_State-and-Trends-in-Adaptation-2022_Climate-Risks-in-Africa.pdf
[8]	Carleton, E. (2022). Climate change in Africa: What will it mean for agriculture and food security? Adis ababa: International Livestock Research Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.ilri.org/news/climate-change-africa-what-will-it-mean-agriculture-and-food-security
[9]	Hidosa, D. & Guyo, M. (2017). Climate change effects on livestock feed resources: A review. Journal of Fisheries and Livestock Production. 05(04), 5–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2332-2608.1000259
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[12]	FAO. (2024). Drought is pushing food prices up sharply in East Africa. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/africarenewal/news/drought-pushing-food-prices-sharply-east-africa
[13]	FAO. (2011). Disaster Risk Management Strategy in West Africa and the Sahel \| FAO (2011-2013), 1–50.
[14]	Thakur, S., Dhara, S., Ramanarayanan, S. & Dangi, M. (2022). Impact of Climate Change on Livestock. Dairy Planner, 24(8): 20–21.
[15]	International Livestock Research Institute. (2014). Climate and Livestock Disease: assessing the vulnerability of agricultural systems to livestock pests under climate change scenarios. Retrieved from https://unfccc.int/files/documentation/submissions_from_non-party_stakeholders/application/pdf/516.pdf
[16]	Ayantunde, A. A., Turner, M. D., & Kalilou, A. (2015). Participatory analysis of vulnerability to drought in three agro-pastoral communities in the West African Sahel. Pastoralism, 5(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13570-015-0033-x
[17]	Kiema, A., Tontibomma, G. B., & Zampaligré, N. (2014). Transhumance et gestion des ressources naturelles au Sahel: contraintes et perspectives face auxmutations des systèmes de productions pastorales. VertigO, 14(3) 1–16. https://doi.org/10.4000/vertigo.15404
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APA Style

Odhiambo, O. P., Owuor, O. C., Albert, M. (2025). Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya. World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 3(1), 12-23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12

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ACS Style

Odhiambo, O. P.; Owuor, O. C.; Albert, M. Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya. World J. Agric. Sci. Technol. 2025, 3(1), 12-23. doi: 10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12

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AMA Style

Odhiambo OP, Owuor OC, Albert M. Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya. World J Agric Sci Technol. 2025;3(1):12-23. doi: 10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12

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@article{10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12,
  author = {Ongang’a Peter Odhiambo and Omoga Charles Owuor and Mwongula Albert},
  title = {Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya
},
  journal = {World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology},
  volume = {3},
  number = {1},
  pages = {12-23},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjast.20250301.12},
  abstract = {Climate change impacts in Busia County have direct effects on reduced and unpredictable rainfalls and indirect effects of reduced availability of livestock fodder for the smallholder dairy farming. Despite the immense contribution of this sub-sector to the county’s Gross Domestic Product, not much has been done to profile the direct effects on smallholder dairy farming and how farmers cope with them. To produce effective strategies for managing and coping with climate variability, there is need for smallholder dairy farmers to differentiate climate-related risks from other agricultural production risks. Clearer understanding of climate-related risks and their associated impacts on livestock production forms the foundation for continued learning and choice of strategies that are likely to enhance mitigation measures. This study therefore delved into understanding the drought impacts and how smallholder dairy farmers in Teso South Sub-County cope with them. Mixed design approach was employed. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview schedules from 246 smallholder dairy farmers. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA) via SPSS Version 23. Results showed that the impact of drought was moderate but had no statistically significant difference among the various agroecological zones. The study also discovered that the various coping mechanisms of interest were not commonly utilised by farmers but showed significant variations within the three agroecological zones. The study recommended that further research should be done to determine the commonly used drought coping mechanisms in the area since it was apparent that drought had an impact on smallholder dairy production.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya

AU  - Ongang’a Peter Odhiambo
AU  - Omoga Charles Owuor
AU  - Mwongula Albert
Y1  - 2025/05/19
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12
T2  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
JF  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
JO  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
SP  - 12
EP  - 23
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7332
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12
AB  - Climate change impacts in Busia County have direct effects on reduced and unpredictable rainfalls and indirect effects of reduced availability of livestock fodder for the smallholder dairy farming. Despite the immense contribution of this sub-sector to the county’s Gross Domestic Product, not much has been done to profile the direct effects on smallholder dairy farming and how farmers cope with them. To produce effective strategies for managing and coping with climate variability, there is need for smallholder dairy farmers to differentiate climate-related risks from other agricultural production risks. Clearer understanding of climate-related risks and their associated impacts on livestock production forms the foundation for continued learning and choice of strategies that are likely to enhance mitigation measures. This study therefore delved into understanding the drought impacts and how smallholder dairy farmers in Teso South Sub-County cope with them. Mixed design approach was employed. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview schedules from 246 smallholder dairy farmers. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA) via SPSS Version 23. Results showed that the impact of drought was moderate but had no statistically significant difference among the various agroecological zones. The study also discovered that the various coping mechanisms of interest were not commonly utilised by farmers but showed significant variations within the three agroecological zones. The study recommended that further research should be done to determine the commonly used drought coping mechanisms in the area since it was apparent that drought had an impact on smallholder dairy production.

VL  - 3
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Ongang’a Peter Odhiambo

School of Education and Social Sciences, Alupe University, Busia, Kenya

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5884-4252
Omoga Charles Owuor

School of Business, Economics and Human Resource Development, Alupe University, Busia, Kenya

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-7928-6203
Mwongula Albert

School of Science, Technology and Engineering, Alupe University, Busia, Kenya

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0008-6030-7713

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APA Style

Odhiambo, O. P., Owuor, O. C., Albert, M. (2025). Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya. World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 3(1), 12-23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12

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ACS Style

Odhiambo, O. P.; Owuor, O. C.; Albert, M. Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya. World J. Agric. Sci. Technol. 2025, 3(1), 12-23. doi: 10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12

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AMA Style

Odhiambo OP, Owuor OC, Albert M. Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya. World J Agric Sci Technol. 2025;3(1):12-23. doi: 10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12

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@article{10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12,
  author = {Ongang’a Peter Odhiambo and Omoga Charles Owuor and Mwongula Albert},
  title = {Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya
},
  journal = {World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology},
  volume = {3},
  number = {1},
  pages = {12-23},
  doi = {10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjast.20250301.12},
  abstract = {Climate change impacts in Busia County have direct effects on reduced and unpredictable rainfalls and indirect effects of reduced availability of livestock fodder for the smallholder dairy farming. Despite the immense contribution of this sub-sector to the county’s Gross Domestic Product, not much has been done to profile the direct effects on smallholder dairy farming and how farmers cope with them. To produce effective strategies for managing and coping with climate variability, there is need for smallholder dairy farmers to differentiate climate-related risks from other agricultural production risks. Clearer understanding of climate-related risks and their associated impacts on livestock production forms the foundation for continued learning and choice of strategies that are likely to enhance mitigation measures. This study therefore delved into understanding the drought impacts and how smallholder dairy farmers in Teso South Sub-County cope with them. Mixed design approach was employed. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview schedules from 246 smallholder dairy farmers. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA) via SPSS Version 23. Results showed that the impact of drought was moderate but had no statistically significant difference among the various agroecological zones. The study also discovered that the various coping mechanisms of interest were not commonly utilised by farmers but showed significant variations within the three agroecological zones. The study recommended that further research should be done to determine the commonly used drought coping mechanisms in the area since it was apparent that drought had an impact on smallholder dairy production.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Drought Impact on Livestock Production and Mitigation Measures by Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Teso South Sub-County, Kenya

AU  - Ongang’a Peter Odhiambo
AU  - Omoga Charles Owuor
AU  - Mwongula Albert
Y1  - 2025/05/19
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12
T2  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
JF  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
JO  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
SP  - 12
EP  - 23
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2994-7332
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12
AB  - Climate change impacts in Busia County have direct effects on reduced and unpredictable rainfalls and indirect effects of reduced availability of livestock fodder for the smallholder dairy farming. Despite the immense contribution of this sub-sector to the county’s Gross Domestic Product, not much has been done to profile the direct effects on smallholder dairy farming and how farmers cope with them. To produce effective strategies for managing and coping with climate variability, there is need for smallholder dairy farmers to differentiate climate-related risks from other agricultural production risks. Clearer understanding of climate-related risks and their associated impacts on livestock production forms the foundation for continued learning and choice of strategies that are likely to enhance mitigation measures. This study therefore delved into understanding the drought impacts and how smallholder dairy farmers in Teso South Sub-County cope with them. Mixed design approach was employed. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview schedules from 246 smallholder dairy farmers. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA) via SPSS Version 23. Results showed that the impact of drought was moderate but had no statistically significant difference among the various agroecological zones. The study also discovered that the various coping mechanisms of interest were not commonly utilised by farmers but showed significant variations within the three agroecological zones. The study recommended that further research should be done to determine the commonly used drought coping mechanisms in the area since it was apparent that drought had an impact on smallholder dairy production.

VL  - 3
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download