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In this paper we examine whether there are significant gender differences in the adoption of climate‐smart agricultural (CSA) practices in sub‐Saharan Africa. Using individual‐level data from four sites in Kenya, Uganda and Senegal, our empirical analysis provides robust evidence that men have a higher likelihood of adopting high‐return CSA practices including modern chemical fertiliser, improved high‐yielding varieties and drought/pest tolerant livestock practices. In contrast, women tend to have a higher likelihood of adopting low‐risk and low‐return traditional CSA practices such as water harvesting, crop covering, rangeland management and pest management. Our subsample analysis shows significant heterogeneity in the gender gap across countries. The results of the decomposition of the observed gender gap show that personal values and norms, access to weather and production information and farm characteristics are important factors that explain the gender differential in the likelihood of CSA adoption. Our findings imply that equalising access to key resources such as plots of land, information and decision making power will be crucial to close the gender gap in the adoption of CSA practices. This is particularly important given the differential impacts of climate change between men and women in sub‐Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and variability have significant impacts on pastoral communities in Kenya. The effects include reduced livestock productivity, food insecurity, and increased conflicts over resources amongst other adverse effects. Examining such effects makes it possible to suggest adaptive and sustainable practices that can be used to improve the conditions of Arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya where majority of the pastoral communities live. The goal of this paper is to review the effects of climate change and variability on pastoral communities in Kenya. The study employs a desk review of recent journal articles that have comprehensively documented the research topic. As per the research findings, pastoral communities in Kenya face significant challenges due to climate change and variability. They have, however, used a variety of adaptation strategies, such as diversifying their sources of income, managing resources as a group, and using new technologies. The use of secondary sources of information and the potential biases in the selection of journal articles are the study's shortcomings. The study has generated relevant knowledge that policymakers and development agencies can use in designing climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions that are responsive to the specific needs and circumstances of pastoral communities in Kenya, Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates to what extent and how micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries are adapting to climate risks. We use a questionnaire survey to collect data from 325 SMEs in the semi-arid regions of Kenya and Senegal and analyze this information to estimate the quality of current adaptation measures, distinguishing between sustainable and unsustainable adaptation . We then study the link between these current adaptation practices and adaptation planning for future climate change. We find that financial barriers are a key reason why firms resort to unsustainable adaptation, while general business support, access to information technology and adaptation assistance encourages sustainable adaptation responses. Engaging in adaptation today also increases the likelihood that a firm is preparing for future climate change. The finding lends support to the strategy of many development agencies who use adaptation to current climate variability as a way of building resilience to future climate change. There is a clear role for public policy in facilitating good adaptation. The ability of firms to respond to climate risks depends in no small measure on factors such as business environment that can be shaped through policy intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Victoria is the world's second largest freshwater body and home to one of the most dramatic speciation of indigenous cichlids in the world. Bordered by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in East Africa, the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) provides food, water and livelihoods for over 30 million people around its shores, with 10 million engaged in the fisheries sector. The Colonial Era introduction of the invasive Nile perch (Lates niloticus) in the 1950's, combined with the introduction of industrialized fish processing in the 1980's, transformed fishing throughout the Basin. The introduction and commercial harvesting of the Nile perch, subsequent human population growth, and the looming problems of climate change continue to compromise the health of this important fishery. This paper applies a global commodity chain framework with an ethnographic approach to the case of the export-oriented Nile perch from the Kenyan island of Mfangano in July 2007. Unless otherwise noted, all price and empirical data are based on interviews, market surveys, and participant observation conducted by the author in Kenya in June, July, and August of 2007. In 2007, prices paid to local Kenyan fishermen, boat owners, and agents represent 24% of the total value from the fishery (∼ 3% to each fisherman, 14% to boat owners and 4% to agents); prices paid to processors represent 36% of the value, and 39% of the value accrues to international seafood wholesalers and retailers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]