Executive Summary
Smallholder farmers are the backbone of Kenya’s food system, contributing over 70 percent of the country’s food production. However, increasing climate variability—characterized by recurrent droughts, erratic rainfall, floods, and rising temperatures—poses a serious threat to agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods. These climate shocks disproportionately affect smallholder farmers, who often lack access to climate-resilient technologies, finance, markets, and information.
This proposal presents a Climate-Resilient Food Systems Project aimed at strengthening the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of smallholder farming communities in Kenya. The project will promote climate-smart agricultural practices, diversified and nutrition-sensitive production, sustainable water and soil management, climate information services, and inclusive market linkages. A strong focus will be placed on women and youth farmers, who are among the most vulnerable yet critical actors in Kenya’s agricultural sector.
Over a three-year period, the project will directly benefit approximately 6,000 smallholder farmers across climate-vulnerable counties in Kenya. Expected outcomes include increased farm productivity, improved household food security, enhanced climate resilience, and strengthened local food systems. By integrating climate adaptation, livelihoods, and nutrition, the project will contribute to Kenya’s national climate action and food security goals.
Background
Kenya’s economy and food security are highly dependent on agriculture, which employs more than half of the population and contributes significantly to rural incomes. Smallholder farmers dominate the sector, cultivating less than two hectares of land and relying heavily on rain-fed agriculture. Climate change has emerged as one of the most significant threats to this system, disrupting traditional farming calendars and increasing production risks.
In recent years, Kenya has experienced prolonged droughts in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), alongside flooding in high-rainfall regions. These events have led to crop failures, livestock losses, rising food prices, and increased vulnerability among rural households. Climate change also exacerbates land degradation, water scarcity, and pest and disease outbreaks, further undermining food system stability.
The Government of Kenya has prioritized climate-smart agriculture and resilience-building through national strategies such as the Climate Change Action Plan, Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS), and National Adaptation Plan. However, gaps remain in translating these policies into practical, scalable solutions for smallholder farmers. This project seeks to bridge these gaps by implementing community-based, climate-resilient food system interventions that are locally adapted and inclusive.
Problem Statement
Smallholder farmers in Kenya face multiple, interconnected challenges that undermine food system resilience:
- High dependence on rain-fed agriculture and vulnerability to climate shocks
- Low adoption of climate-smart and sustainable farming practices
- Declining soil fertility and land degradation
- Limited access to water for agriculture, especially during dry seasons
- Poor access to climate information, extension services, and early warning systems
- Weak market linkages and post-harvest losses
- Gender and youth inequalities in access to resources and decision-making
These challenges result in low and unstable agricultural productivity, food insecurity, malnutrition, and persistent poverty. Women farmers, who play a central role in food production and household nutrition, often face additional barriers such as limited land ownership and access to finance. Without targeted interventions, climate change will continue to deepen vulnerabilities and threaten Kenya’s food security.
Project Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To strengthen climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems for smallholder farmers in Kenya.
Specific Objectives
- Increase adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices among smallholder farmers.
- Improve sustainable water and soil management for enhanced productivity.
- Diversify crop and livestock production to improve food and nutrition security.
- Strengthen farmers’ access to climate information, extension services, and markets.
- Enhance the participation and empowerment of women and youth in climate-resilient agriculture.
Project Methodology
The project will use an integrated, community-based approach that combines climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and market development.
- Climate-Smart and Sustainable Agriculture
- Promotion of drought-tolerant and early-maturing crop varieties
- Adoption of conservation agriculture practices such as minimum tillage, mulching, and crop rotation
- Integration of agroforestry systems to improve soil health and microclimates
- Support for climate-resilient livestock practices, including improved fodder production
- Water and Soil Resource Management
- Rainwater harvesting and storage systems for household and community use
- Promotion of small-scale irrigation technologies such as drip and solar-powered irrigation
- Soil fertility management through composting, organic inputs, and integrated nutrient management
- Rehabilitation of degraded land through tree planting and soil conservation measures
- Climate Information and Advisory Services
- Market Access and Value Chain Development
- Strengthening farmer groups and cooperatives for collective marketing
- Post-harvest handling training to reduce losses and improve food quality
- Linkages with local and regional markets for climate-resilient crops
- Support for value addition and income diversification
- Gender and Youth Inclusion
- Targeted support for women and youth-led farming enterprises
- Training on leadership, financial literacy, and agribusiness skills
- Promotion of labor-saving technologies to reduce women’s workload
Implementation Plan
The project will be implemented over a period of three years in selected climate-vulnerable counties in Kenya.
- Phase 1: Inception and Baseline (Months 1–6)
- Baseline assessment on climate vulnerability, agriculture, and livelihoods
- Stakeholder engagement with county governments and community leaders
- Selection of target communities and beneficiaries
- Capacity building of project staff and partners
- Phase 2: Implementation and Scaling (Months 7–30)
- Distribution of climate-resilient seeds, tools, and inputs
- Farmer training through demonstration plots and field schools
- Installation of water harvesting and irrigation systems
- Strengthening market linkages and farmer organizations
- Phase 3: Sustainability and Exit (Months 31–36)
- Institutionalization of practices through local extension services
- Strengthening community ownership and leadership
- Documentation of best practices and lessons learned
- Final evaluation and dissemination of results
Monitoring
A results-based monitoring framework will track progress and ensure accountability.
- Routine data collection on agricultural practices and yields
- Monitoring of climate resilience and food security indicators
- Gender– and youth-disaggregated data analysis
- Community feedback and participatory monitoring mechanisms
Key indicators include:
- Number of farmers adopting climate-smart practices
- Changes in crop yields and income stability
- Household Food Consumption Score (FCS)
- Women and youth participation in decision-making
Evaluation
The evaluation component will assess effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.
- Mid-term evaluation to assess implementation progress and challenges
- End-line evaluation comparing baseline and final outcomes
- Qualitative assessments through focus group discussions and interviews
- Evaluation of scalability and policy relevance
Findings will be shared with stakeholders to inform future programming and policy development.
Conclusion
Climate-resilient food systems are essential for safeguarding Kenya’s food security and rural livelihoods in the face of climate change. By supporting smallholder farmers with climate-smart practices, sustainable resource management, and inclusive market opportunities, this project addresses both immediate and long-term vulnerabilities.
The proposed intervention will enhance resilience, productivity, and nutrition outcomes while empowering women and youth as agents of change. Aligned with Kenya’s national priorities and climate commitments, the project offers a scalable and sustainable model for building resilient food systems and securing a more food-secure future for smallholder farmers.
