Managing climate risk through crop diversification in rural Kenya

Justus Ochieng (), Lilian Kirimi, Dennis O. Ochieng, Timothy Njagi, Mary Mathenge, Raphael Gitau and Miltone Ayieko
Additional contact information
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
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Timothy Njagi Njeru

Climatic Change, 2020, vol. 162, issue 3, No 8, 1107-1125

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Climate change; Crop diversification; Panel data; Small-scale farms; Kenya (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C31 Q12 Q24 Q54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Working Paper: Managing climate risk through crop diversification in rural Kenya (2019)
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DOI: 10.1007/s10584-020-02727-0

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