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Food supply

Climate Change Threatens Global Agricultural Sector Production and Food Security

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Climate change poses a significant challenge to the global agricultural sector, particularly in rain-fed farming systems like Kenya's, where smallholder farmers are highly susceptible to drought and other climate-related shocks. According to a recent study, climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices are a practical solution to combat this problem and promote sustainable agricultural development. However, adoption levels of CSA practices among smallholder farmers in Makueni County, Kenya have been low, with only 44% of farmers embracing practices such as soil conservation, crop diversification, and agroforestry. The study highlights the need for policy that promotes the availability and affordability of production assets, access to market, and affordable credit to enhance the adoption of CSA practices and community resilience to the climate change adverse effects.

Key Takeaways:

  • The global agricultural sector is threatened by climate change, particularly in rain-fed farming systems.
  • Climate-smart agricultural practices have been identified as a practical solution to combat climate change and promote sustainable agricultural development.
  • Only 44% of smallholder farmers in Makueni County, Kenya have adopted CSA practices such as soil conservation, crop diversification, and agroforestry.
  • Land ownership, access to affordable credit, farm assets and machinery, group membership, household income, and farming experience had significant effects on the adoption of CSA practices.
  • Land ownership, extension contacts, number of years of schooling, and group membership significantly influenced the intensity of adoption of CSA practices.
  • The study emphasizes the need for policy that promotes the availability and affordability of production assets, access to market, and affordable credit to enhance the adoption of CSA practices and community resilience.
  • The study highlights the importance of assessing the determinants of adoption of CSA practices and intensity in promoting farmer policy formulation, practices dissemination, and improving smallholders' livelihoods.
  • Timothy Meti of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension announced the research findings, and more information can be obtained by contacting him at the Department.

Statistics:

  • 44% of smallholder farmers in Makueni County, Kenya have adopted CSA practices.
  • 384 farming households were randomly selected from the target population using a multistage cluster sampling technique.
  • A cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect data.
  • Land ownership, access to affordable credit, farm assets and machinery, group membership, household income, and farming experience accounted for 25% of the variance in the adoption of CSA practices.

Sources:

  • Determinants of Adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices: The Case of Smallholders in Makueni County, Kenya. Advances in Agriculture, 2025. (Advances in Agriculture - https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aag/)
  • Timothy Meti, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension.

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