JUNE 2022
POLICY CHALLENGE
The Kenyan dry lands, also referred to as Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), are estimated to occupy 89% of the total terrestrial surface area. Of the Kenyan population, 36% live in this region and 90% of them are dependent on pastoralism. This dryland pastoral community heavily depend on climate-sensitive rain-fed ecosystems of livestock production and dryland farming for food security. Pastoralists in the arid areas own 70% of the national herd, making pastoralism a significant source of food security not only for the dryland communities, but also for the nation of Kenya. Although the opportunity for irrigation exists in the ASAL, and the community is picking it up as a adaptation strategy to climate change, the conversion of pastoral rangeland to irrigate agriculture is considered undesirable due to challenges of environmental sustainability. This makes the communities more vulnerable to climate change and variability.
In this aspect, it is important for decision makers to understand the factors that encourage or hinder household in the drylands of Kenya to uptake or not uptake irrigation as an adaptation strategy, and to take action to ensure the sustainability of the fragile ecosystem.