Assessing the Implications of Climate Change Policies on Agricultural Growth in Kenya
| dc.contributor.author | Wanjau, Rachel Wangui | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-08-05T08:59:24Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-08-05T08:59:24Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-06 | |
| dc.description | A Research Project Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Masters Degree of Arts (Public Policy and Adminstration) of Kenyatta University June, 2025 Supervisor: 1. Gabriel Mwenjeri | |
| dc.description.abstract | In Kenya, the agricultural industry accounts for 33% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation. Furthermore, agriculture provides many rural populations in Kenya with a significant source of employment as well as a means of subsistence. Going forward, the agriculture industry will remain important for economic gains as well as sustenance, such as crop production, agro-pastoral farming, and pastoral farming systems. However, the quantity and quality of crops and livestock subsectors have been significantly impacted by local weather variables, rendering agricultural outputs especially vulnerable to a range of detrimental effects from climate change. This study examined the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity, identifies policy gaps, and proposes actionable solutions. It aimed to determine the effects of climate change on agricultural productivity, identify existing policy gaps regarding climate adaptation strategies, and propose viable public policy options to enhance the agricultural sector's contributions to the economy. Using a mixed-methods approach, we analyze temperature and precipitation trends (1950–2020) from the World Bank’s Climate Change Knowledge Portal and employ regression analysis to quantify climate agriculture relationships. Results reveal a significant temperature increase (0.32°C/decade, p < 0.05) and erratic rainfall, negatively affecting crop yields. Findings suggest that rising temperatures negatively impact agricultural productivity due to increased evapotranspiration and diminished soil moisture. Additionally, while some precipitation trends show slight increases, a consistent pattern of declining rainfall threatens water resources essential for agriculture. Despite the presence of policies such as the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and the Agriculture Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS), critical gaps in policy implementation and effectiveness hinder progress. Identified constraints include inadequate funding, insufficient integration of local knowledge, and the lack of gender-responsive initiatives. In response to these challenges, the study proposes several policy options aimed at enhancing climate resilience in the agricultural sector. Policy gaps include inadequate funding, limited smallholder engagement, and gender-insensitive approaches. Recommendations include scaling Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), investing in resilient infrastructure, and enhancing research. The study provides empirical evidence to guide policymakers in fostering climate-resilient agricultural growth. These strategies are designed to enable farmers to effectively adjust to climate variability while reaffirming the sector's contribution to Kenya's agricultural growth. In general, the project's findings highlight the need for focused adaptation strategies to lessen the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture, which is essential for Kenya's food security and economic stability. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/31110 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Assessing the Implications of Climate Change Policies on Agricultural Growth in Kenya | |
| dc.type | Thesis |