Enhancing adaptation to climate change in semi-arid Kenya

The work has focused on Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties of semi-arid eastern Kenya, supporting the three county governments in developing appropriate adaptation strategies and programs that can assist farmers. Irrigated maize and in situ water conservation measures are the most feasible adaptation strategies, and county governments should develop programs to provide affordable credit to farmers enabling them to invest in irrigation of maize and sorghum. Provision of climate information to farmers in a timely manner and in a format they can understand is proven to be effective. Without access to localized climate information, farmers are highly vulnerable to crop loss