Summary  

Climate change presents one of the greatest challenges to the productivity and sustainable growth of  the agricultural sector in Kenya due to extreme events such as droughts and floods as well as changes  in temperature. Horticultural crops are particularly sensitive to climate change because of their high  water demand and strict temperature requirements. Increased or decreased rainfall and increased  temperature result in drought or flooding, lack of water for irrigation, and pests and diseases epidemic  can affect the suitability of areas for growing horticultural crops. Understanding the impacts of climate  for a given crop under specific conditions is key to supporting further development of the horticulture  sector. While horticulture is a priority economic subsector in many counties, it is not known how the  counties position themselves with regard to dealing with climate change threats in the sector. 

A review of the literature shows how climate change significantly affects the performance of  horticultural crops across a variety of climatic zones and that counties need to be better prepared to  address these effects. Horticulture covers myriad crops (including fruits and vegetables), which are  affected by climate change in different ways. Seasonal patterns, both for temperature as well as  (onset of) rainfall are changing. Temperature thresholds for specific crops are being exceeded, while some areas are now more favourable for growing certain crops where previously temperatures were  too low. Suboptimal temperatures affect both the yield and quality of produce. The horticulture sector  has also experienced incidences of pests, such as Tuta absoluta on tomato; climate change is a  confounding factor to the spread and establishment of these pests. 

Agriculture which is highly affected by climate change is devolved to counties; as such, policies  relevant to it are expected to be implemented at county level. An analysis of the County Integrated  Development Plans showed that horticulture is a high-value subsector that plays a major role in  generating revenue for county development. Most counties have prioritized horticulture and made  substantial investments. Climate change is acknowledged as a threat to different sectors, but there is  only scant analysis of the factors causing it, effects it will have and proposed responses to it….

Climate-resilient horticulture for  sustainable county development in Kenya