How can I design my own case study?
Welcome to the Climate Atlas Kenya. This is the source for information on the effects of climate change on the horticulture sector in Kenya. The atlas has been made by Climate Adaptation Services, in collaboration with JKUAT, KMD, and countless others who have contributed. You will find practical information, tools, tutorials, measures, and links to other resources. We intend to keep the atlas free and open to use, so everyone has access to resources that help the horticulture sector in adapting to the climate of the future.
Do you have an interesting story, a map that can be included in the atlas, or questions and feedback? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
Why is adaptation to climate change important for Kenya?
Kenya is amongst the countries which are most vulnerable to climate change. The agricultural sector contributes 26% of the Kenyan GDP. Crop production in Kenya takes place mostly under rainfed conditions, with weather fluctuations having a great impact on productivity.
Significant changes in the climate are expected for the rest of the century, while many of the 15 million smallholder farmers are ill-equipped to cope with risks. Therefore we need to know what kind of changes to expect. This atlas aims to provide you with a first insight into the impact climate change may have on agriculture in Kenya. By following the guidance material, you can assess the influence of climate change on a specific crop and explore measures to protect the crop.
Impacts of climate change
Knowing what kind of change is ahead is the first step in adapting to climate change. Now that we know that maximum temperatures may increase up to 3 degrees, the question arises: so what?
To support farmers in adapting to climate change, we need to shift from climate change indicators to impacts.
We have been working with agricultural extension workers and farmers in the counties Kajiado and Kiambu to make the step from generic climate change indicators towards crop specific climate change outlooks. You can find two examples for maize and tomato in this atlas, under the tab case studies.
