RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP AND CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE IN LAIKIPIA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Objective: To examine the extent to which resource stewardship influences the performance of climate-smart agriculture projects in Laikipia County, Kenya.   Theoretical Framework: The study was anchored on the Stewardship theory that envisages that unsupervised managers, will derive their satisfaction from the organization's success hence, remain accountable stewards. Judicious stewardship is the only way to achieve food security in a healthy ecology.   Method: A concurrent mixed method approach that adopted the descriptive cross-sectional survey and correlational design was employed to study two World Bank-sponsored Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture projects. Stratified and Simple random sampling were employed to get a sample of 225 small-scale farmers and purposeful sampling identified four key informants. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide and analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and content data analysis techniques.   Results and Discussion: The respondents’ opinions on resource stewardship had a composite mean and standard deviation of 3.47 and 1.138 respectively. The relationship between resource stewardship and the performance of climate-smart projects had a weak linear correlation of (r= -0.007) and p-value (p=0.923>0.05) indicating a weak and insignificant relationship. Despite the portrayed confidence in resource stewardship, stewardship is not a quick-fix approach hence, detested in the use of resources.   Research Implications: Consequently, it is vital to have policies that enforce, promote, and subsidize activities that stimulates stewardship in food production.   Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by providing reliable and triangulated empirical data through authentic methodology enhancing suitability for data generalisability and replicability. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by the need to promote food security in pursuance of the achievement of sustainable development goals.