The Potential of Agroforestry Systems in Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation for Livelihood Improvement in Tana River Sub-county, Tana River County

Abstract

Tana River County, located in the savanna region of Kenya, is an arid and semi-arid land prone to degradation and climate change impacts. With limited income opportunities and few livelihood alternatives, the coping capacity of the local communities, especially farmers, is constrained. This study aimed to understand how farmers in Tana River County perceive the impacts of climate change on their livelihoods. It also aimed to document how sustainable agroforestry systems can serve as a viable coping strategy for dealing with the effects of climate change while providing additional benefits to their livelihoods. Incorporating agroforestry systems is considered a potential nature-based solution for enhancing resilience to climate change impacts. The County government of Tana River intends to promote agroforestry and a green economy to address food insecurity, contribute to national reforestation efforts, and ensure sustainable agriculture as part of its Third County Integrated Development Plan. However, it is not considered part of the climate change action plan. This study evaluated the potential that agroforestry systems have in enhancing climate change adaptation for livelihood improvement in Tana River Sub-County, Tana River County. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and geospatial analysis of land cover, temperature, and rainfall. Data analysis was conducted using R software. A time series analysis was conducted for the temperature and precipitation data in the Sub-County. Secondary data was collected by a review of published and grey literature. Monthly temperature anomalies and precipitation patterns were calculated to understand climatic conditions. Land cover change detection analysis was performed, and the land use land cover maps were generated. The major climate change manifestations reported were droughts, floods, strong winds, and extreme temperatures. About 73% of respondents in Tana River Sub-County were well aware of climate change manifestations and their impacts. Analysis revealed increasing temperature trends and variable precipitation patterns over time. Common agroforestry systems practised in Tana River Sub-County were Agrisilvopastoral at 56.7%, followed closely by Agrisilvicultural systems at 40%, and Silvopastoral systems at 3.3%, incorporating fruit, fodder, and timber trees. The practice of Agroforestry provides multifaceted benefits that improve livelihoods and climate change adaptation. This study recommends upscaling agroforestry by the county government to enable farmers to adapt to intensifying climate change impacts