Coping with climate variability and adapting to climate change in Kenya

Kenyan farmers’ livelihoods are closely linked to climate conditions. Almost three-quarters of the labor force depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, and almost all farmers depend on timely and adequate rainfall for crop production and husbandry, as only 2 percent of cultivated area is equipped for irrigation. Thus, climate variability and change will have an increasing impact on agricultural livelihoods and food security in the country, making adaptation essential for rural areas in Kenya. This note is based on a report on the coping and adaptation strategies of farmers in seven districts in Kenya covering the arid, semi-arid, temperate, and humid agroecological zones (AEZs) of the country. The report draws on data collected through household and community surveys and participatory rural appraisals (PRAs) to identify ways to encourage agricultural adaptation to climate change.