An Assessment of Barriers to MSMEs’ Adoption of CSA in Livestock Red Meat Value Chain, Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract

Climate change poses great risks to poverty alleviation, food security and livelihoods sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa, declining crop yields and livestock productivity, especially in ASALs that suffer from fragile ecosystems characterized by frequent droughts and low rainfall. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) objectives of improving productivity and incomes, adaptation, resilience to climate change and mitigation on GHGs emissions, are responses to these climate risks. CSA technologies, innovation and management practices (TIMPs) in general do exist, however they are concentrated in crop farming neglecting livestock production and especially in marginalized areas such as ASALs, which forms 85% of Kenyan land mass and is dominated by pastoral and nomadic livestock production. Most CSA practices are mainly at the production level and hardly extend to the entire value chain, and diffusion is slow due to several barriers. A mixed method approach was used to evaluate barriers to actors' adoption of CSA in the pastoral Livestock red meat value chain starting from input suppliers, producers, to consumers (pasture to plate). This study used six broad perspectives to examine the barriers: 1) Knowledge and institutional; 2) Market and financial; 3) Policy and incentives; 4) Networks and engagement platforms; 5) Cultural and social; 6) Physical infrastructure barriers. These barriers can be surmounted with concerted efforts from the government, development partners, pastoral communities, value chain actors and public private partnership among others. Efforts such as modernization of the pastoral red meat value chains, integration of MSMEs into the livestock systems, access to affordable financing, availability of context based, affordable CSA TIMPs,

Climate change impacts, adaptation options and opportunities for investment in agro-pastoral value chains in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya

“…As a result, assessing climate risk for value chains is a critical stage in any climate change adaptation plan. For value chain actors, it involves understanding current and future climate risks, considering the consequences for value chain activities, and examining various alternatives for mitigating negative impacts (Thongoh et al, 2021;Machan et al, 2022). This information can help value chain actors engage in forward-thinking and flexible planning processes that maximize their business potential while accounting for climate concerns.…”

“…All decision-makers, from agro-pastoralists to banks and government agricultural investment programs, depend on climate information services. While early warnings for climate extremes might improve readiness for shocks, past and present climate patterns, future estimates and seasonal weather forecasts all support climate risk assessment (Thongoh et al, 2021). Commercial banks and microfinance organizations that provide financial services, such as credit, savings, and insurance, serve as a vital resource for many value chains (Lugusa, 2020;Kidali et al, 2023).…”

From Field to Feed trough: Examining the Drivers of Feed and Fodder Technologies Uptake among Pastoral Beef Farmers in Kenya

“…Over the years, several TIMPs have emerged as a promising solution to address some of the challenges facing pastoral farming in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands [4]. From improved livestock breeds and feed formulations to precision farming techniques and digital tools for monitoring and disease management, a range of technologies have the potential to revolutionize the sector.…”