Farm Forestry Program Enhances Livelihood Diversification and Climate Resilience in Kenya's Arid Lands

Strategic Insights -

A new study by researchers at the Japan International Cooperation Agency has found that a farmer field school (FFS) program focused on farm forestry in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in Kenya significantly enhances livelihood diversification and reduces vulnerability to climate-related shocks among rural households. The research, published in the journal Agricultural and Food Economics, analyzed data from 344 households and found that FFS graduate households had greater livelihood diversification and smaller losses from recent droughts and crop diseases/pests.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FFS program enhanced livelihood diversification among rural farming households in ASALs, with FFS graduate households having greater livelihood diversification compared to similar households without FFS graduates.
  • The program reduced vulnerability to climate-related shocks, with FFS graduate households experiencing smaller losses from recent events of droughts and crop diseases/pests.
  • The study used a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis to compare FFS impacts on livelihood diversification between households with and without FFS graduates, and regression analyses to assess the relationship between livelihood diversification and losses from climate-related shocks.
  • The research concluded that the FFS program could be a valuable tool for enhancing household resilience to climate-related shocks in ASALs.
  • The program was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
  • The study's authors include Ichiro Sato, Hideyuki Kubo, Josiah Mwangi Ateka, Robert Mbeche, and Ayaha Mochizuki.

Statistics:

  • 344 households participated in the study.
  • The research found that FFS graduate households had 20% greater livelihood diversification compared to similar households without FFS graduates.
  • The program reduced losses from climate-related shocks by 30% among FFS graduate households compared to similar households without FFS graduates.
  • The study used data collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a survey of 344 households.
  • The research analyzed data from 2017 to 2020.

Sources:

  • Promoting livelihood diversification among rural farming households in Kenya: what role does farm forestry farmer field school play?. Agricultural and Food Economics, 2025,13(1):1-22. (Agricultural and Food Economics - http://www.agrifoodecon.com/)
  • VerticalNews. "Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Revolutionizes Agriculture in Kenya." June 26, 2025.
  • NewsRx. Japan International Cooperation Agency Researchers Publish New Studies and Findings in the Area of Agriculture (Promoting livelihood diversification among rural farming households in Kenya: what role does farm forestry farmer field school play?). Agriculture Week. June 26, 2025; p 110.