dc.description.abstract | A food system chain entails the process food takes from the farm to the table and disposal of food waste. This research was premised on climate variability and its ramifications on food security in Taita Taveta County and Kenya’s drylands in general. The study assessed the consequences of climate change and variability on various aspects food systems ranging from production, transformation, aggregation, storage, conveyance, aggregation, supply, and consumption of nourishment besides handling and disposal of food wastes in Taita Taveta County. The study mainly scrutinized the implications of climate change on food system and ensuing self-sufficiency. Specifically, the research sought to analyse chronological community susceptibility and drivers of food systems transformation due to weather variations in Taita Taveta County. This research also examined the historical climate trends and associated community coping mechanisms and the projected impacts on food systems pursuant to the objectives of Comprehensive African Agriculture Partnership (CAADP) and Agenda 2063 of the African Union which aimed at attaining inclusive and viable socio-economic development over a 50-year period. The study was grounded in food systems theory and resilience approach and adopted research design of household surveys of key actors, Focused Group Discussion (FGD) and interviews of selected key informants including policy makers, administrators, agricultural and livestock extension officers, meteorological officers, aggregators, and agro-dealers. A sample size of 450 producers, marketers and consumers of food items were selected through purposive sampling to represent diverse categories of players in the food system. Data was collected using questionnaires for three surveys, interview schedule for key informants and FGDs. Data captured from the surveys using Open Data Kit tool was loaded at the end of each day. Information on food security trends and biophysical data captured from FGDs and scheduled interviews was summarized using tables’ graphs and charts. The results include historical food security trends including previous extreme climate events and coping strategies from 1981 to 2020; projected climate change scenarios and their linkage to food systems and policy, strategic interventions and resilience building for communities in Kenya and Taita Taveta County. The results reveal notable temperature and rainfall anomalies including increased warming and other climate erratic events such as recurrent prolonged and flash droughts and floods. These anomalies impact on food systems both negatively and positively and this necessitates appropriate adaptation and mitigation interventions to prevent negative consequences or leverage on the positive impacts for enhanced productivity.
Results from RCP4.5 projected likelihood of a positive shift in total annual rainfall from 643.31mm baseline to 655.85mm (+1.9%) by mid-century and further to 680.66mm (+3.8%) by 20170 whereas temperature will shift by +0.90C by 2050 and further +1.40C by 2070 from the baseline. Nonetheless future climate predictions for RCP8.5 indicated a positive increase
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of rainfall by ≈+1% from 643.31mm baseline to 705.56mm (+1.2%) by end of 2070 with reference to baseline mean (1991-2020) while temperature in this scenario will increase from a mean of 22.90C to a mean of 24.10C (+1.20C) by 2050 and further to 25.20C (+2.30C) by end of 2070. These rainfall anomalies could enhance sufficient moisture vitality for crops, but increased temperatures may lead to high temperatures which could be detrimental to intolerant crop varieties and livestock breeds.
The overall food security status in the county according to household surveys, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and key informants were moderate food insecurity and support from external change agents and participatory community engagement was crucial. Regarding interventions for food security, the main staple food group featured prominently was maize and its products complemented by beans and drought tolerant pulses such as cowpeas and green grams.
Among the key coping strategies that were being employed by the households included skipping meals, reducing portion size, purchasing food on credit, reduce portions for adults to allow more for children, sending children to eat elsewhere and borrowing food from relatives, friends, and well-wishers. The Government has been providing food aid and relief to households during times of crises. The study also revealed that the Government through National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development programmes and projects such as Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme-Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods (KCEP-CRAL), development partners and agencies such as Red Cross and World Vision Kenya initiated various interventions in the county including provision of farm inputs and ready market for products of various food value chains.
The knowledge gained from the study could be utilized as a reference of previous experience as a tool to address underlying phenomena. The research finally recommends a hybrid model integrating indigenous local knowledge with scientific practices for adoption and scaling up in climate-resilient food systems in Taita Taveta County. These findings contributed to the advancement of scientific knowledge Kenya’s in ASALs and the Greater Horn of Africa, as well as decision making, food security and development of adaptation and mitigation strategies including supplementation of rain-fed farming with Climate Smart Agriculture technologies such as irrigation. It is imperative to envision and pivot towards a more sustainable food future. | en_US |