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Adaptation Pathways for African Indigenous Vegetables’ Value Chains

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Climate Change Adaptation in Africa

Part of the book series: Climate Change Management ((CCM))

Abstract

This paper assesses adaptation pathways for smallholder African Indigenous Vegetable (AIV) value chains. The analysis is based on field research in three agro-climatic zones (ACZ) of Kenya as part of the interdisciplinary research project HORTINLEA (Horticultural Innovations and Learning for Improved Nutrition and Livelihood in East Africa). Data from the 2014 panel survey comprising 1232 households, of which 610 have been examined in more detail, complements the findings. As in many African countries, Kenya’s population will double by 2050 and food value chains will face huge challenges. AIVs, being rich in micronutrients (e.g. vitamins A and C, and iron), are relatively easy to grow within a short vegetation period. Hence they can be part of the solution to hidden hunger. AIVs’ share in vegetable area has almost doubled from 8 to 14% within three years, contributing to an increased income for smallholders, provided that production, transport and marketing function adequately. Most farmers suffer from the impacts of climate change. The household survey indicates that 67% are negatively affected by increasing variations in rainfall patterns, and 85% by changes in temperatures. Farmers need to adapt their farm-level management to climate change in order to cope with these challenges. Incremental adaptation strategies such as changing crop portfolios are relatively widespread. In contrast, adaptations that require transformative efforts are rare. Growing AIVs is itself considered an adaptation strategy, as their sensitivity to climate variability is generally low, as is analysed in great detail in this paper. Empowerment of growers to participate in high value and ecologically sustainable AIV value chains requires specific policies and extension in order to close the adaptation gaps of AIV smallholders.

Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation in Africa 2016 “Fostering African Resilience and Capacity to Adapt”, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 21st–23rd February 2016.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The Cramer’s V coefficient of 0.305 indicates a strong association between rainfall perceptions and ACZ.

  2. 2.

    The Cramer’s V coefficient of 0.209 indicates a medium association between temperature perceptions and ACZ.

  3. 3.

    The Cramer’s V coefficient of 0.248 indicates a medium association between impact of climate change on livelihoods and ACZ.

  4. 4.

    The Cramer’s V coefficient of 0.280 indicates a medium to high association between the different adaptation strategies to climate change and the counties.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their special gratitude to the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development for providing financial support to the HORTINLEA (Horticultural Innovation and Learning for Improved Livelihoods in East Africa) project and enabling the researchers to conduct this research. Special thanks to the farmers for patiently sharing their knowledge and experiences concerning AIV. Thanks to all colleagues and two anonymous reviewers for providing data, valuable support and helpful advice for the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life Sciences, Centre for Rural Development (SLE), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Robert-Koch-Platz 4, 10115, Berlin, Germany

    Silke Stöber, Winifred Chepkoech, Susanne Neubert & Barnabas Kurgat

  2. Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

    Hillary Bett

  3. Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research (PIK), Potsdam, Germany

    Hermann Lotze-Campen

  4. Department of Sustainable Land Use and Climate Change, Faculty of Life Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Hermann Lotze-Campen

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  1. Silke Stöber
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  2. Winifred Chepkoech
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  4. Barnabas Kurgat
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  5. Hillary Bett
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  6. Hermann Lotze-Campen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Silke Stöber .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. FTZ-NK, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. Environmental and Development Studies, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Simane Belay

  3. School of Water Resources, South Eastern Kenya University, Nairobi, Kenya

    Jokasha Kalangu

  4. Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Wuta Menas

  5. Department Ecosystems and Conservation, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Tourism, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

    Pantaleo Munishi

  6. Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe

    Kumbirai Musiyiwa

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Stöber, S., Chepkoech, W., Neubert, S., Kurgat, B., Bett, H., Lotze-Campen, H. (2017). Adaptation Pathways for African Indigenous Vegetables’ Value Chains. In: Leal Filho, W., Belay, S., Kalangu, J., Menas, W., Munishi, P., Musiyiwa, K. (eds) Climate Change Adaptation in Africa. Climate Change Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49520-0_25

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