The impact of cropping systems on soil properties, nutrient availability and their carbon sequestration potential was studied during the years 2014 and 2015 in Shiwalik hills of Himachal Pradesh. The four commonly occurring cropping systems namely vegetable, fruit, cereal crop and agroforestry were selected. Uncultivated land in the region was considered as control. In total, there were five treatments which were replicated six times under randomized block design. The study indicated that the cropping systems in the Shiwalik hills varied significantly (P=0.05) with respect to their impact on soil properties, nutrient availability and carbon sequestration potential. The pH and EC was in the range of 6.04 to 6.90 and 0.094 to 0.138 dSm-1, respectively and were normal in range. Organic carbon and bulk density in surface soils ranged from 8.06 to 9.70 g kg-1 and 1.19 to 1.34 Mg m-3, respectively. The available NPK was highest (267.21, 19.99, 172.42 kg ha-1) under vegetable based cropping system as compared to other systems. Carbon density in surface soil ranged from 11.33 to 15.39 Mg C ha-1 and total carbon sequestered upto 30cm soil depth ranged from 601.96 to 12646.29 Gg. The study indicated that in Shiwalik hills of Himachal Pradesh, the commonly occurring cropping systems did not influence the soil properties and nutrient availability adversely. Agroforestry based cropping system is having highest potential of sequestering soil carbon in Shiwalik hills. Therefore to adapt to changing climatic situation and to mitigate its effect in the region, agroforestry based cropping system need to be encouraged.

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─The study was carried out to assess determinants of farmers' choice of specific adaptation strategies to climate variability and extreme events in selected agro-ecological zones in Kitui County. Descriptive survey design was used. The study area was stratified into four study sites with respect to four different agro-ecological zones and a total of 341 households selected to constitute the sample size. Multivariate probit regression model was run in Stata version 12 to determine the influence of different socio-economic characteristics on farmers' choice of specific adaptation strategies. The model results indicated that age, gender, farming experience, membership to farmers' organization, education level, access to extension services and proximity to market had a significant varying influence on farmers' choice of several adaptation strategies. The study established that different socio-economic characteristics had a different influence on the farmers' choice of specific adaptation strategies. The study therefore recommends that climate variability adaptation policies, programs and projects by governmental and non-governmental development agencies should target specific socio-economic characteristics that are relevant to the adaptation strategies in question. Keywords─Socio-economic characteristics, multivariate probit regression, agro-ecological zones, adaptive capacity.I.

There is growing evidence that tobacco farming and use, among other critical livelihood factors, has an impact not only on health but also on the environment. The tobacco industry in Kenya has been on the rise with new production areas emerging. However, the nature of the environmental friendliness of the production, processing and consumption technologies have yet to be evaluated in many parts of Kenya. This study undertook an environmental auditing of tobacco farming activities in the South Nyanza region of Kenya for purposes of evaluating their compliance levels and policy formulation. Data collection was achieved through a detailed environmental audit checklist, focused group discussions, interviews, and field observations. Generally, the environmental compliance level with the National Environment Management Authority, World Health Organization standards and world best farming practices was dismal, at 13.6%. Tobacco companiesʼ compliance rating with standards in application of pesticides and agrochemicals, use and management of energy resources, tobacco leaf storage and disposal of uncollected leaves, occupational health and safety, and best established practices in corporate social responsibility stood at 19.8, 15.7, 27.7, 2.1 and 11.8%, respectively. The low compliance level implies unsustainable farming practices; thus the need for enhanced enforcement of good environmental practices in the sector. Development of policies and legislation on economically viable and environmentally sustainable alternative crops is therefore recommended.

Climate variability and extreme events are some of the most pressing environmental challenges occurring in the contemporary world. Farming communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in arid and semi-arid areas are more vulnerable to climate vulnerability and extremesdue to high dependence on rain-fed agriculture. There is little understanding of factors influencing farmers' vulnerability to climate variability and extremes at household level in arid and semi-arid parts of Kenya. This study analyzed farmers' vulnerability to climate variability and extremes in arid and semi-arid parts of Kitui County, Kenya. The study utilized data collected from 341 households from Yuku, Kaveta, Kauwi and Kasaini sub-locations located in four different agro-ecological zones. Descriptive survey was used and purposive sampling method applied in identifying the sub-locations of study. Proportionate sampling was used to select the number of households to be interviewed in each sub-location and systematic sampling used to select the households which formed the units of analysis. Vulnerability analysis was based on indices constructed from carefully selected indicators for exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The indicators were weighted using Equal Weight Analysis. Vulnerability indices indicated that Yuku sub-location (arid) was the most vulnerable to climate variability and extreme events (1.487) followed by transitional zone from semi-arid to semi-humid-Kauwi (0.214), semi-arid-Kasaini (0.085) and semi-humid-Kaveta sub-location (-0.530). Development and policy measures should be focused towards improving the adaptive capacity of the rural farming households, while keeping the post-disaster emergency relief measures in place for zones with higher biophysical vulnerability to climate variability and extremes.