Impact of Climate Change Adaptation on Food Security: Evidence from Semi-Arid Lands, Kenya

Abstract The paper investigates the impact of climate change adaptation on food security in the Semi-Arid parts of Kenya. Our research used a sample of 440 households, and an endogenous Switching regression is estimated to account for the heterogeneity in the decision to adapt or not, and for unobservable characteristics of pastoralists. We examined how pastoralists’ decision to adapt, that is to implement a set of strategies; storage/purchase of fodder, change in water management, partial shift to other livelihoods, banking livestock assets and herd management. The results demonstrate that climate change adaptation increases food security among pastoralists significantly. Pastoralists who have not adapted are seven percentage points more likely to be food secure if they had adapted to climate change while adopters are 27 percentage points likely to be food insecure if they had not adapted. The paper recommends the strengthening of policies on adaptation to climate change in the Semi-Arid lands where pastoralism is the primary means of livelihood. Although pastoralists have information on the effect of climate change on their livestock, incomplete information on the mechanism of adaptation remains a hurdle. Consistent climate change monitoring, timely warning systems and communication of pertinent information to pastoralists is fundamental.