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Managing climate risk through crop diversification in rural Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Justus Ochieng

    (World Vegetable Center, Eastern and Southern Africa)

  • Lilian Kirimi

    (Egerton University)

  • Dennis O. Ochieng

    (International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI))

  • Timothy Njagi

    (Egerton University)

  • Mary Mathenge

    (Egerton University)

  • Raphael Gitau

    (University of Pretoria)

  • Miltone Ayieko

    (Egerton University)

Abstract

Climatic variability and change continue to militate against efforts to increase agricultural productivity and food and nutrition security in many developing countries. Several studies propose crop diversification as a climate risk management strategy to increase production and food security. Most of the empirical studies are based on cross-sectional data that do not account for unobserved factors that may affect crop diversification. A disaggregated analysis of the influence of climatic variability and change on crop diversification by agroecological profiles is less explored. Panel studies also do not combine more than one climatic variability and change indicator as we do. We employ panel data models on farm household and 31-year rainfall and temperature data to analyze the effects of climatic variability and change on crop diversification among small-scale farmers disaggregated by agroecological zones in Kenya. We find widespread crop diversification among small farms in warmer regions as a risk management strategy. Results further show that smaller farm size, limited use of inorganic fertilizer, low household incomes, and limited access to off-farm livelihood options influence the decision to diversify crop production. However, crop diversification is not a one-size-fits-all strategy and should be adopted in situations where it gives maximum benefits, consistent with existing land use policies and known benefits of a specified crop portfolio. Crop diversification should not crowd-out specialization, particularly among resource-endowed farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Justus Ochieng & Lilian Kirimi & Dennis O. Ochieng & Timothy Njagi & Mary Mathenge & Raphael Gitau & Miltone Ayieko, 2020. "Managing climate risk through crop diversification in rural Kenya," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 162(3), pages 1107-1125, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:162:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10584-020-02727-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-020-02727-0
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    3. Narmandakh, Davaatseren & Marenya, Paswel & Opie, Hellen & Bett, Charles, 2024. "Crop production diversity or market access? Welfare outcomes among sorghum-growing households in rural Kenya and Uganda," IAAE 2024 Conference, August 2-7, 2024, New Delhi, India 344362, International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE).
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    5. Ochieng, Dennis O. & Ogutu, Sylvester O., 2022. "Supermarket contracts, opportunity cost and trade-offs, and farm household welfare: Panel data evidence from Kenya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    6. Hashmiu, Ishmael & Agbenyega, Olivia & Dawoe, Evans, 2022. "Determinants of crop choice decisions under risk: A case study on the revival of cocoa farming in the Forest-Savannah transition zone of Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    7. Teodoro Semeraro & Aurelia Scarano & Angelo Leggieri & Antonio Calisi & Monica De Caroli, 2023. "Impact of Climate Change on Agroecosystems and Potential Adaptation Strategies," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-21, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Climate change; Crop diversification; Panel data; Small-scale farms; Kenya;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • Q24 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Land
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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