IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/eurjdr/v33y2021i6d10.1057_s41287-020-00308-6.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Livestock Diversification for Improved Resilience and Welfare Outcomes Under Climate Risks in Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Marther W. Ngigi

    (Machakos University)

  • Ulrike Mueller

    (GFA Consulting Group GmbH)

  • Regina Birner

    (University of Hohenheim)

Abstract

The study contributes to the emerging literature on livestock composition and resilience by applying two waves of a panel dataset of 360 rural households in Kenya. The paper investigates the role of livestock diversification in managing risks and improving household well-being outcomes in the context of climate risks and multiple shocks. One major result is that climatic shocks do not affect small ruminant and non-ruminant animals because they are more resilient to climate variability than cattle. Subsequently, households rely on diversified livestock portfolios and borrow from social groups to smooth their consumption level and foster resilience. The latter coping strategy is predominantly preferred by female-headed and asset-poor households to protect their already low asset base. Small ruminants, poultry and cattle contribute significantly to household’s income and food consumption across different quintiles. Small ruminants improve income and consumption for households in the bottom of quintiles. The policy implication of these findings is that diversification of livestock portfolios is germane in fostering resilience to climate risks and thus improve the well-being outcomes of livestock farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Marther W. Ngigi & Ulrike Mueller & Regina Birner, 2021. "Livestock Diversification for Improved Resilience and Welfare Outcomes Under Climate Risks in Kenya," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(6), pages 1625-1648, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:33:y:2021:i:6:d:10.1057_s41287-020-00308-6
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-020-00308-6
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41287-020-00308-6
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41287-020-00308-6?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bruce D. Meyer & James X. Sullivan, 2003. "Measuring the Well-Being of the Poor Using Income and Consumption," NBER Working Papers 9760, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Kibrom A. Abay & Nathaniel D. Jensen, 2020. "Access to markets, weather risk, and livestock production decisions: Evidence from Ethiopia," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 51(4), pages 577-593, July.
    3. Thomas Tanner & David Lewis & David Wrathall & Robin Bronen & Nick Cradock-Henry & Saleemul Huq & Chris Lawless & Raphael Nawrotzki & Vivek Prasad & Md. Ashiqur Rahman & Ryan Alaniz & Katherine King &, 2015. "Livelihood resilience in the face of climate change," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 23-26, January.
    4. Sarah A Janzen & Michael R Carter, 2019. "After the Drought: The Impact of Microinsurance on Consumption Smoothing and Asset Protection," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 101(3), pages 651-671.
    5. Ngigi, Marther W. & Müller, Ulrike & Birner, Regina, 2015. "The role of livestock portfolios and group-based approaches for building resilience in the face of accelerating climate change: An asset-based panel data analysis from rural Kenya," Discussion Papers 210703, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    6. Sichoongwe, Kiru, 2014. "Determinants and Extent of Crop Diversification Among Smallholder Farmers in Southern Zambia," Research Theses 243456, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    7. Esso-Hanam Atake, 2018. "Health shocks in Sub-Saharan Africa: are the poor and uninsured households more vulnerable?," Health Economics Review, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 1-13, December.
    8. Sichoongwe, Kiru & Mapemba, Lawrence & Ng'ong'ola, Davies & Tembo, Gelson, 2014. "The determinants and extent of crop diversification among smallholder farmers: A case study of Southern Province, Zambia," MaSSP working papers 5, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    9. Ngigi, Marther W. & Mueller, Ulrike & Birner, Regina, 2017. "Gender Differences in Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Participation in Group-based Approaches: An Intra-household Analysis From Rural Kenya," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 99-108.
    10. Cristina Salvioni & Roberto Henke & Francesco Vanni, 2020. "The Impact of Non-Agricultural Diversification on Financial Performance: Evidence from Family Farms in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-14, January.
    11. Stefan Dercon, 2002. "Income Risk, Coping Strategies, and Safety Nets," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 17(2), pages 141-166, September.
    12. Janzen, Sarah A. & Carter, Michael R., 2013. "The Impact of Microinsurance on Consumption Smoothing and Asset Protection: Evidence from a Drought in Kenya," 2013 Annual Meeting, August 4-6, 2013, Washington, D.C. 151141, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    13. Jeffrey M Wooldridge, 2010. "Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 2, volume 1, number 0262232588, December.
    14. Anh Tuan Bui & Mardi Dungey & Cuong Viet Nguyen & Thu Phuong Pham, 2014. "The impact of natural disasters on household income, expenditure, poverty and inequality: evidence from Vietnam," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(15), pages 1751-1766, May.
    15. Sichoongwe, Kiru & Mapemba, Lawrence & Ng'ong'ola, Davies & Tembo, Gelson, 2014. "The determinants and extent of crop diversification among smallholder farmers: A case study of Southern Province, Zambia:," MaSSP working papers 5, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    16. Lakshmi Iyer & Petia Topalova, 2014. "Poverty and Crime: Evidence from Rainfall and Trade Shocks in India," Harvard Business School Working Papers 14-067, Harvard Business School, revised Aug 2014.
    17. Deon Filmer & Lant Pritchett, 2001. "Estimating Wealth Effects Without Expenditure Data—Or Tears: An Application To Educational Enrollments In States Of India," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 38(1), pages 115-132, February.
    18. Kabubo-Mariara, Jane & Karanja, Fredrick K, 2007. "The economic impact of climate change on Kenyan crop agriculture : a ricardian approach," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4334, The World Bank.
    19. Frija, A. & Afi, M. & Dhehibi, B., 2018. "Livestock for resilience : Revisiting the role of livestock in the major agricultural production systems of the MENA region," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277547, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    20. repec:ags:cmpart:198521 is not listed on IDEAS
    21. Thornton, P.K. & van de Steeg, J. & Notenbaert, A. & Herrero, M., 2009. "The impacts of climate change on livestock and livestock systems in developing countries: A review of what we know and what we need to know," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 101(3), pages 113-127, July.
    22. Nicolli, F. & Acosta, A. & Karfakis, P., 2018. "Are Livestock s keepers more resilient to climate shocks: Fact or Artifact?," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277482, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Fadare, Olusegun & Srinivasan, Chittur & Zanello, Giacomo, 2024. "Livestock diversification mitigates the impact of farmer-herder conflicts on animal-source foods consumption in Nigeria," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    2. Bo Yang & Xiangnan Wang & Tong Wu & Weihua Deng, 2023. "Reducing farmers' poverty vulnerability in China: The role of digital financial inclusion," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(3), pages 1445-1480, August.
    3. Campos, Ana Paula de la O & Petracco, Carly Kathleen & Valli, Elsa & Sitko, Nicholas, 2024. "Greening for the greater good: Socio-economic impacts of land restoration in the Great Green Wall," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ngigi, Marther W. & Müller, Ulrike & Birner, Regina, 2015. "The role of livestock portfolios and group-based approaches for building resilience in the face of accelerating climate change: An asset-based panel data analysis from rural Kenya," Discussion Papers 210703, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    2. Sibhatu, Kibrom T. & Arslan, Aslihan & Zucchini, Emanuele, 2022. "The effect of agricultural programs on dietary diversity and food security: Insights from the smallholder productivity promotion program in Zambia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    3. Renata Baborska & Emilio Hernandez & Emiliano Magrini & Cristian Morales-Opazo, 2020. "The impact of financial inclusion on rural food security experience: A perspective from low-and middle-income countries," Review of Development Finance Journal, Chartered Institute of Development Finance, vol. 10(2), pages 1-18.
    4. OBISESAN, Adekemi & AWOLALA, David, 2021. "Crop Diversification, Productivity And Dietary Diversity: A Gender Perspective," Review of Agricultural and Applied Economics (RAAE), Faculty of Economics and Management, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, vol. 24(1), March.
    5. Orkhan Sariyev & Tim K. Loos & Ling Yee Khor, 2021. "Intra-household decision-making, production diversity, and dietary quality: a panel data analysis of Ethiopian rural households," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(1), pages 181-197, February.
    6. Muhammad Usman & Talha Mahmood & Christopher Conrad & Habib Ullah Bodla, 2020. "Remote Sensing and Modelling Based Framework for Valuing Irrigation System Efficiency and Steering Indicators of Consumptive Water Use in an Irrigated Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-33, November.
    7. Baulia, Susmita, 2024. "Is household shock a boon or bane to the utilisation of preventive healthcare for children? Evidence from Uganda," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    8. Makate, Clifton & Angelsen, Arild & Holden, Stein Terje & Westengen, Ola Tveitereid, 2023. "Evolution of farm-level crop diversification and response to rainfall shocks in smallholder farming: Evidence from Malawi and Tanzania," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    9. Makate, Clifton & Angelsen, Arild & Holden, Stein Terje & Westengen, Ola Tveitereid, 2022. "Crops in crises: Shocks shape smallholders' diversification in rural Ethiopia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    10. Sarah Alobo Loison, 2019. "Household livelihood diversification and gender: panel evidence from rural Kenya," Post-Print hal-02618651, HAL.
    11. Ayala Wineman & Nicole M. Mason & Justus Ochieng & Lilian Kirimi, 2017. "Weather extremes and household welfare in rural Kenya," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 9(2), pages 281-300, April.
    12. Veronika Bertram-Huemmer & Kati Kraehnert, 2018. "Does Index Insurance Help Households Recover from Disaster? Evidence from IBLI Mongolia," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 100(1), pages 145-171.
    13. Kalkuhl, Matthias & Schwerhoff, Gregor & Waha, Katharina, 2020. "Land tenure, climate and risk management," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    14. Hansen, James & Hellin, Jon & Rosenstock, Todd & Fisher, Eleanor & Cairns, Jill & Stirling, Clare & Lamanna, Christine & van Etten, Jacob & Rose, Alison & Campbell, Bruce, 2019. "Climate risk management and rural poverty reduction," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 28-46.
    15. Kwon, Daye & Myers, Robert J. & Mason, Nicole M., 2022. "How do input subsidy programs affect smallholder households’ dietary diversity? Evidence from Zambia," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322493, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    16. Tien D. N. Ho & Takuji W. Tsusaka & John K. M. Kuwornu & Avishek Datta & Loc T. Nguyen, 2022. "Do rice varieties matter? Climate change adaptation and livelihood diversification among rural smallholder households in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 1-33, January.
    17. Odjuvwuederhie Emmanuel Inoni & Bayero Sule Gani & Elizabeth Sabo, 2021. "Drivers of Crop Diversification: Evidence from Smallholder Farmers in Delta State Nigeria," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 69(1), pages 59-70.
    18. Garcia-Mandicó, Sílvia & Reichert, Arndt & Strupat, Christoph, 2021. "The Social Value of Health Insurance: Results from Ghana," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    19. Abebe, Meseret B. & Alem, Yonas, 2023. "Drought, Livestock Holding, and Milk Production: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis," EfD Discussion Paper 23-12, Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg.
    20. Schwerhoff, Gregor & Kalkuhl, Matthias & Waha, Katharina, 2016. "Agricultural Risk Management and Land Tenure," VfS Annual Conference 2016 (Augsburg): Demographic Change 145792, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:33:y:2021:i:6:d:10.1057_s41287-020-00308-6. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.palgrave-journals.com/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.