Adapting to Green Agricultural Economy: ExperiencesFrom Small-Scale Farmers in Murang’a County In Kenya

Abstract

Kenya is prone to frequent droughts that are occasionally followed by flash floods. With agriculture being the mainstay of the economy, droughts and floods results in frequent loss of livelihoods and chronic food insecurity forcing farmers to adopt various Uptake of green agricultural economy strategies in Murang’a County in Kenya. The objectives of the study were (i) to establish the form of green agricultural economy adopted (ii) to examine the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of the adopted strategies. A total of 48 farmers from eight sub-counties of Murang’a and two key informants were interviewed. The study established that all farmers practiced at least one form of green agriculture ranging from cons mulching, use of zai pits, and minimum tillage to practices that enhanced food production such as use of organic farm manure and value addition. Also some of the practices adopted such as growing of fruit trees and other types of trees mitigated climate change. From the green agricultural practices, farmers achieved socioeconomic benefits which included self through sale of fruits and fodder and conserved the environment by reducing lands the amount of CO2 sequestered. From the findings the study concluded that the practice of green economy in the County was affordable and enhanced household income and food security in a sustainable way. The study therefore recommends development of new strategies that are suitable and affordable to the small building towards this end will enhance the adaptation rate.