Climate Smart Agriculture in Kenya's ASALS: gaps and barriers in policy development and implementation

Abstract

This paper presents an evaluation of the gaps and barriers in policy development and implementation with regard to Climate Change in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALS). In spite of concerted efforts and considerable attention accorded to the climate change effects in the region, there is little improvement. Through a desktop review of previous studies and policy documents, this paper examines the mitigation measures proposed and interrogates the practicality of these measures as well as the gaps and challenges in formulation and implementation. The ASALS are the most hit by climate change, and they make up 89% of the country's landmass and are home to approximately 20 million people, which translates to 38% of the Kenyan population. The region is also home to 60% of the country's livestock, and the considerable contribution of livestock to global warming is justification enough to focus on Climate Smart Agriculture in the ASALS. The region is predominantly rural, and for their livelihoods, the farmers rely on rain, which has become unreliable due to climate, hence the persistent food insecurity. Policies have been formulated to address mitigation, adaptation, and food security with outcomes such as improving yields, growing net returns, lessening the emission of Green House Gases, boosting input use and efficiency, enhancing resilience, and improving gender and social inclusion. Understanding the constraints in the implementation of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices would be useful in improving policy formulation and intervention planning. The findings of this study reveal gaps and barriers in the formulation and implementation of CSA policies stemming from lack of awareness, which is responsible for the low adaptability levels, nature of land ownership in the ASALS, cultural factors, poor coordination between stakeholders and inadequate funding for CSA projects.