Climate Change and Food System in Kenya: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Climate change is long-term statistical change in climate variables whose impacts are evident on value chains and food systems in general. This book chapter examines the challenges in the Kenyan food system associated with increasing climate variability and factors that can be considered to achieve agro-food systems transformation for sustainability. The study observed the need for digital infrastructure enhancement; development of data sharing platforms; accelerated climate change mitigation and adaption actions; rural infrastructural development, fragmentation of value chains and farmers’ societies; value addition to increase shelf life of agricultural products; universal crop and livestock insurance; promotion of agroecological farming practices, including agroforestry; involvement of youths in agricultural practices through government-supported initiatives; systematic improvement of policies toward a stronger policy framework to regulate imports and maximize exports; empowering populations on the need to consume local foods; engagement in consumer protection initiatives as important for enhanced food production in a changing environment.