Adaptation to climate change through Silvopastoral systems in the North Rift

The livelihoods of pastoral and agropastoral communities living in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya is significantly threatened by the adverse effects of climate change. Severe droughts and other extreme weather conditions destabilize food security, pushing people to absolute poverty. The project reduced climate vulnerabilities of farmers in the counties of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot by promoting silvopastoral systems. The system combines planting indigenous shrubs, herbs, and fruit trees with traditional crops and livestock rearing. The benefits are: increased biomass and livestock production, increased farm profitability, improved biodiversity and soil quality. Since tree planting is an easy and cost-effective method a higher return for farmers is expected. In addition, carbon storage, reducing CO2 emissions and restoring damaged/degraded systems are positive side effects. The project has addressed particularly women and young people as they are the most vulnerable in the face of climate change.