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20.3.2 Options for Adapting Value Chains to Climate Change
These results show that climate hazards already negatively affect all activities along
the chain. The impacts, however, vary by commodity and by stage of the chain, and
therefore require different approaches in adaptation. This section examines the coping strategies used currently as well as the longer-term adaptation options.
Actors are already making some efforts to minimize the negative impacts of climate hazards and reduce climate risk, although our study indicates that their adaptation efforts are too heavily focused on production. For both peas and dairy, the
number of adaptation options correlates to the perceived severity of the impacts. For
example, a higher number of options were available for on-farm production in pea
and at provision of inputs for dairy because of the impacts of drought (Fig. 20.4).
For floods, the highest number of options adopted by actors is at the provision of
input stage for both value chains (Fig. 20.5). Specifically, current adaptation strategies in dairy include feed conservation, fodder diversification (utilization of crop
residues, herbs and shrubs for feed), use of herbal medicines, use of locally available breeding bulls, construction of drainage channels, local road repairs, sale of
milk at farm gate, and value addition (milk fermentation). Strategies in the pea value
chain include change of planting calendar, use of improved varieties, manure application, use of terraces, local seed multiplication, use of herbicides and pesticides,
conservation agriculture, agroforestry, planting seedlings in raised beds and use of
donkeys and motorcycle taxis for transportation (Figs. 20.4 and 20.5).
Our interviews identified the following potential priority actions in Nyandarua:
(i) investing in climate-resilient infrastructures such as roads, irrigation systems,
storage facilities and markets; (ii) engagement of the public and private sectors and
financial and insurance services to support climate-resilient and inclusive agrovalue chains; (iii) improve existing platforms and structures for climate adaptation
along the value chain, such as standards, relief services, emergency funds, disease
and pest surveillance, climate information services, early warning systems, land-use
planning and zonation, agroforestry, soil and water conservation, value addition,
collective marketing and climate responsive policies.
20.3.3 Impediments to Adaptation at the Local Level
The interviews in Nyandarua revealed a lack of understanding of climate change
and the options available to adapt to it. Events such as reduction in crop cycle, rising
temperatures and changes in length of the growing season were perceived as isolated or non-severe. There was also low awareness of potential adaptation options
for managing risks. Similarly, there was a low understanding of the Kenyan government’s climate-related policies and how they support adaptation at the local level.
Most farmers in Nyandarua also fail to take advantage of the infrastructure and
C. Mwongera et al.
20.3.2 Options for Adapting Value Chains to Climate Change
These results show that climate hazards already negatively affect all activities along
the chain. The impacts, however, vary by commodity and by stage of the chain, and
therefore require different approaches in adaptation. This section examines the coping strategies used currently as well as the longer-term adaptation options.
Actors are already making some efforts to minimize the negative impacts of climate hazards and reduce climate risk, although our study indicates that their adaptation efforts are too heavily focused on production. For both peas and dairy, the
number of adaptation options correlates to the perceived severity of the impacts. For
example, a higher number of options were available for on-farm production in pea
and at provision of inputs for dairy because of the impacts of drought (Fig. 20.4).
For floods, the highest number of options adopted by actors is at the provision of
input stage for both value chains (Fig. 20.5). Specifically, current adaptation strategies in dairy include feed conservation, fodder diversification (utilization of crop
residues, herbs and shrubs for feed), use of herbal medicines, use of locally available breeding bulls, construction of drainage channels, local road repairs, sale of
milk at farm gate, and value addition (milk fermentation). Strategies in the pea value
chain include change of planting calendar, use of improved varieties, manure application, use of terraces, local seed multiplication, use of herbicides and pesticides,
conservation agriculture, agroforestry, planting seedlings in raised beds and use of
donkeys and motorcycle taxis for transportation (Figs. 20.4 and 20.5).
Our interviews identified the following potential priority actions in Nyandarua:
(i) investing in climate-resilient infrastructures such as roads, irrigation systems,
storage facilities and markets; (ii) engagement of the public and private sectors and
financial and insurance services to support climate-resilient and inclusive agrovalue chains; (iii) improve existing platforms and structures for climate adaptation
along the value chain, such as standards, relief services, emergency funds, disease
and pest surveillance, climate information services, early warning systems, land-use
planning and zonation, agroforestry, soil and water conservation, value addition,
collective marketing and climate responsive policies.
20.3.3 Impediments to Adaptation at the Local Level
The interviews in Nyandarua revealed a lack of understanding of climate change
and the options available to adapt to it. Events such as reduction in crop cycle, rising
temperatures and changes in length of the growing season were perceived as isolated or non-severe. There was also low awareness of potential adaptation options
for managing risks. Similarly, there was a low understanding of the Kenyan government’s climate-related policies and how they support adaptation at the local level.
Most farmers in Nyandarua also fail to take advantage of the infrastructure and
C. Mwongera et al.